Mayor: Infrastructure one of Mesa’s largest pressing issues
Oct 19, 2015, 4:14 PM
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOENIX — One the largest problems facing a Phoenix suburb in the next five years is its infrastructure, the city’s mayor said Monday ahead of a global conference.
Speaking to the Huffington Post ahead of CityLab London 2015 — a gathering of mayors from around the world to discuss inequality, mobility and other issues standing in the way of more livable cities — Mesa Mayor John Giles said his city’s infrastructure is a cause for concern.
“Many of our nation’s roads, bridges and utilities are in disrepair, and congestion is a fact of daily life,” he told the publication.
Giles said infrastructure plays a larger part than simply moving citizens around: It also encourages businesses to set up shop and families to move into an area.
While his city is taking steps to improve its infrastructure — including opening the city’s light rail extension months ahead of schedule — he said there is still a lot of work to be done, especially with the state transportation department facing a $62.7 billion shortfall.
“Changing this reality will take hard work and committed partnership with local, state and federal agencies,” he told the Huffington Post.
