ADOT
ADOT Unveils Exit Strategy for SR 347: Key Decision on Tomorrow’s Agenda
A proposed new Interstate 10 exit at the intersection of Wild Horse Pass Boulevard and Koli Road aims to reduce traffic congestion on State Route 347. This initiative, spearheaded by ADOT, the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC), and other stakeholders, seeks to create an additional route for motorists, particularly during incidents that lead to traffic delays.
Motorists often utilize an early exit onto Wild Horse Pass Boulevard to access Maricopa Road and SR 347. To address ongoing congestion without widening SR 347, the new exit would fall between the existing exits at Wild Horse Pass Boulevard and Queen Creek Road, easing the 2-mile gap currently present.
ADOT will conduct a virtual meeting tomorrow from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to discuss the I-10 and Koli Road Traffic Interchange Study. The meeting will outline the project, its prospective locations, and the overall study timeline. Koli Road, a rural desert route extending 2.5 miles, leads to an equestrian center and is pivotal to this plan.
According to Joanna Bradley, ADOT’s assistant director of communication over major projects, the proposed interchange will enhance traffic flow on Loop 202 and SR 347 while providing additional routes for commuter safety during accidents. This project is part of the larger Wildhorse Passport Projects initiative.
The coalition of ADOT, GRIC, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Maricopa Association of Governments is committed to exploring various alternatives, including a potential no-build option. This comprehensive strategy aims to assess the proposed project’s impact on cultural, biological, and water resources, alongside noise and air quality considerations.
Public engagement is essential; attendees of the meeting will have opportunities to voice concerns and provide feedback. Comments can also be submitted via email, phone, or mail until November 8. Bradley emphasized the importance of community participation, stating that all submitted comments will be reviewed and integrated into the environmental impact study.
The proposed study area’s boundaries extend a half mile from each side of I-10 out to Maricopa Road. There is a pressing need for a solution, as the intricate history between GRIC and ADOT has delayed the resolution of the traffic challenges on SR 347.
As stakeholders collaborate on this project, the upcoming meeting stands as a critical juncture in the effort to enhance traffic conditions in the region.