Key Points:

• State budgets support the expansion of main corridors in Maricopa and Buckeye

• Two cities are among the fastest-growing in the Phoenix area

• Rising traffic leads to congestion and safety challenges

The cities of Buckeye and Maricopa are roughly 70 miles apart, but they’ve been grappling with similar challenges lately.

Both have seen significant growth since the early 2000s, which has led to increased traffic and safety concerns along their main corridors. This has brought about a pressing need for enhancements to the transportation infrastructure.

These upgrades are expected to move forward once Congress gives the green light to the state budget. This budget includes funding for projects on State Route 347 in Maricopa and improvements on Interstate 10, particularly between Citrus Road and State Route 85 in the West Valley area.

Specifically, the budget allocates $54 million for major projects on State Route 347, along with $27 million designated for expanding portions of I-10 near Buckeye and surrounding areas.

Additional funding will come from local government contributions and other state highway financing sources, as noted by the Arizona Department of Transportation.

State Route 347 is vital for Maricopa, stretching nearly 30 miles from Interstate 10 at Chandler to State Route 84 near Stanfield in Pinal County, serving not just Maricopa but also the Gila River and Ak-Chin Indian communities.

Maricopa has transformed from a small agricultural town of about 2,000 in 2003 to one of the fastest-growing cities, now home to approximately 75,000 residents. The main highways through the city are essential for commuting to Phoenix and Casa Grande.

Officials estimate that a significant portion—around 75%—of the city’s residents rely on these highways for work, often facing bottlenecks along the route.

“The needs were immense,” remarked Sen. TJ Shope, who represents Maricopa.

The funds, combined with other sources, will help widen the highway in Pinal County between Maricopa and south of Rigus Road, construct overpasses, and enhance key intersections like Casablanca Road and Mammoth Way.

Pavement preservation along the highway between I-10 and Maricopa is also part of the plan. Most construction is projected to begin in 2026.

“People have been hoping for this for years,” Shope said. “This year could be a major win for us.”

Shope has been pushing for highway expansion since he began his council service in 2013, but he’s taken on more advocacy following Maricopa’s inclusion in his district last year.

City officials are actively supporting highway improvements, even testifying in legislative hearings.

Maricopa Mayor Nancy Smith informed the House Approval Committee in February that two of the ten most hazardous intersections in the western U.S. are located on these highways, citing a study by an injury attorney who analyzed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.

Smith advocated for House Bill 2557 during her testimony.

Given that Maricopa offers the most affordable housing in the Phoenix area, city officials believe highway expansion is critical to accommodate ongoing growth, as noted by Intergovernmental Director Katie Proctor during her testimony.

This growth reflects trends seen in West Valley cities, with Buckeye’s population currently at 120,000 and projected to reach around 300,000 by 2040.

Buckeye, an agricultural community that had about 6,500 residents in 2000, has witnessed rapid changes. The I-10 segment through Buckeye sees heavy congestion, particularly on busy holiday weekends, when traffic shifts from four lanes to three near the SR 303 interchange.

“Losing that lane creates a bottleneck from the 303 to I-10,” he explained. “That’s why an increase in I-10 capacity is essential in Buckeye.”

Traffic backups have started to become an issue in places that previously saw none, especially in the eastbound direction west of the Verrado Way Interchange.

This project also plans to enhance the area west of Citrus Road with additional infrastructure like screen walls and improved drainage, with work scheduled between this fiscal year and 2028.

“It’s crucial not just for Buckeye residents, but for everyone commuting to and from nearby regions, including California,” he added.

Enhancing these corridors could also lead to more economic opportunities in the area.