Sen. Shope Aims to Revive $49M Riggs Overpass Funding

Arizona State Senator T.J. Shope, a Republican from Casa Grande, is taking action to expedite funding for the Riggs Road overpass project. Following the Arizona Department of Transportation’s design selection earlier this week, Shope introduced Senate Bill 1617, which aims to secure $49 million for the overpass in the upcoming fiscal year starting in July.

The funding had originally been allocated for the current fiscal year but was postponed due to efforts to balance the state’s projected billion-dollar budget deficit. Last year, Governor Katie Hobbs had recommended delaying the project until at least October 2027, redirecting the state general funds elsewhere.

Should Shope’s bill receive Governor Hobbs’s approval—known for her cautious approach to budgetary matters—the overpass’s funding could become available over two years sooner than originally projected. Shope emphasized that restoring this funding is crucial for investing in further improvements to State Route 347, enhancing quality of life for Maricopa residents.

“I made a commitment to the people of Maricopa and Legislative District 16 to prioritize [SR] 347 projects in the budget,” Shope stated in an interview with InMaricopa.

Monica, who covers government and economic development for InMaricopa, brings her experience from previous roles, including at The Arizona Republic.