City Plans Bold $77.8 Million Infrastructure Overhaul for Roads

During a Budget and Finance Subcommittee meeting held on February 6, 2025, Councilmembers Vincent Manfredi, Eric Goettl, and Mayor Nancy Smith reviewed the proposed capital improvement projects for the fiscal year 2025-2026 at city hall. The city’s proposed budget for capital improvements totals $151.7 million, a significant investment aimed at enhancing Maricopa’s infrastructure.

A major portion of this budget, over $77.8 million, will focus on roads and regional infrastructure, constituting 51.3% of the total allocated funds. In the upcoming decade, Maricopa plans to invest more than $496 million specifically for road improvements. This plan is a response to what many residents identify as urgent needs in their community, particularly in traffic and road conditions.

“Our residents all know traffic is horrible, and the streets and infrastructure aren’t quite there,” Councilmember Eric Goettl noted. “But I think we have a good plan for addressing that as quickly and responsibly as we can.” The proposed budget encompasses over 30 road projects, including vital upgrades to key routes like State Route 238 and the Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway.

Highlighted road projects include:

• Green Road bypass, loop, and bridge: $778,000
• Sonoran Desert Parkway’s phase two: $1.18 million
• State Route 238 widening and improvements: $12.9 million
• Traffic signal at Maricopa Groves Parkway: $1.34 million
• Maricopa Road re-alignment at Honeycutt Ave.: $1.9 million
• Murphy Road box culvert at Farrell Road: $5.43 million

In addition to infrastructure, public safety will receive a proposed budget of $11.5 million, with 89% allocated to the Maricopa Fire and Medical Department. Essential expenditures include the construction of a new fire station at Papago and Green Roads, set at $2.3 million, and the purchase of six ambulances for $2.7 million. Other allocations entail $1 million for replacing a fire truck engine and approximately $807,000 for police vehicle upgrades.

The city’s recreation department is also set to invest about $22.3 million in various projects, including:

• Field house by Copper Sky: $20.1 million
• Shade structures at Pacana and Lake View Parks: $228,000
• Extra pickleball courts at Copper Sky: $800,000

The subcommittee plans to discuss the operational budget in a subsequent meeting on April 23, with tentative approval expected by May 6. Final approval from the city council is projected for June 3.