By BEX Staff for AZBEX
Jomax Road could be extended between Dysart Road and 126th Drive under an intergovernmental agreement approved by the Surprise and Peoria city councils.
A local news outlet reported there is currently only one way in and out of Surprise in circumstances where US 60 and 163 Avenue are closed, prompting traffic problems and difficulties for emergency personnel trying to access the area.
The extension will provide a new access point to Loop 303 and should help drivers commuting to Happy Valley Road.
The Peoria City Council’s June 3 agenda item on the IGA said, “Completion of the project will provide another east/west corridor and additional access point into north Surprise serving a life safety issue. It will also result in reduced emergency response times from Peoria and Surprise Fire-Medical Departments.”
The two cities have a mutual aid agreement in place, allowing their emergency units to respond to each other’s jurisdictions.
The extension would be designated as an interim roadway governed by Peoria’s design standards. It will be further built out either by Peoria or developers to a proposed ultimate design standard.
The cities will contribute a maximum of $6M each for the new roadway, and Surprise will serve as the lead agency. Peoria will issue no-cost permits to Surprise for work within the Peoria limits. Peoria will also work with the Arizona State Land Department to secure right-of-way and will maintain the roadway when work is finished.
