Study to widen Interstate 10 south of Phoenix put on fast track
Mar 1, 2019, 10:10 AM
(ADOT Photo)
PHOENIX – The last stretch of Interstate 10 south of Phoenix that hasn’t been tabbed to become three lanes might eventually get there, after a study of proposals of designs and environmental impact is completed.
The Arizona Department of Transportation said the study will have an accelerated timeline of 18 months and will begin later this year.
About 25 miles of the freeway between Phoenix and Casa Grande are two lanes in each direction. The road cuts through the Gila River Indian Community from Queen Creek Road to State Route 387.
The Maricopa Association of Governments, which oversees the region’s transportation planning, has set aside about $65.5 million for I-10 improvements in Maricopa County.
“We are developing a vision and strategy to provide the capacity that I-10 needs today and tomorrow in this corridor,” ADOT director John Halikowski said Thursday in a press release.
Widening projects on the freeway are underway between Earley Road in Casa Grande and Interstate 8 and between Eloy and Picacho Peak.
The department said the study will help size up when construction would start and “establish the time frame for improvements.”
Construction could begin in fiscal year 2023.
The federal government requires studies such as these before distributing funds.