Gila River Delays Signing, Maricopan Floods Hit Payson Ahead of 347 Showdown

In sweltering 115-degree heat, students from Maricopa gathered in the air-conditioned lobby of City Hall to prepare for a significant journey.

High school students, city officials, and community leaders assembled with their suitcases, ready to board the 14-passenger Ride 347 bus. Before departing, the group filmed a video aimed at galvanizing community support for their cause.

Their destination: Payson, where the Arizona State Transportation Board will decide whether to prioritize funding for the much-anticipated widening of State Route 347. This marks the culmination of a yearslong effort to enhance one of Arizona’s most hazardous and congested routes.

SR 347 serves as the sole major connector between Maricopa and the Phoenix metro area, accommodating over 58,000 vehicles daily. The proposed enlargement includes expanding the road to three lanes in each direction and removing three critical traffic signals, addressing one of the state’s most dangerous intersections.

“This road is a lifeline,” remarked Nicholas Sizemore of the Be Awesome Youth Coalition. “It’s too congested. We need to ensure safety.”

Tomorrow’s meeting in Payson offers multiple avenues for community participation, including in-person testimony, online comments, and a watch party at Maricopa’s community center starting at 9 a.m. Strong attendance is crucial for conveying community commitment.

“It shows we care,” stated resident Madeline Homan. “This initiative impacts every family here.”

If the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) backs the project, Pinal County has pledged $20 million to support it.

The Gila River Indian Community has added momentum to this year’s initiative, advocating for the 14-mile stretch of SR 347 that runs through its territory.

Gila River Governor Stephen Roe Lewis sent a letter urging state officials to give this project priority, stressing its importance to safety and mobility.

“We face frequent accidents with severe consequences,” Lewis emphasized. “Funding for this project should be a top priority.”

This endorsement marks a significant turn in the historically tense relationship between the Gila River Indian Community and ADOT, particularly following the failed opposition to the South Mountain Freeway project in 2016.

By 2021, discussions regarding SR 347 had nearly halted, with community leaders fearing improvements would lack adequate environmental considerations.

Then-mayor Christian Price reflected on the difficulties of navigating community concerns while pursuing vital improvements.

However, relations have improved. In spring 2021, GRIC, ADOT, and the Maricopa Association of Governments jointly requested federal infrastructure funding.

That sense of urgency is palpable in Maricopa as the pivotal meeting approaches.

Mayor Nancy Smith underscored the broader implications of the road improvement, calling it essential for community welfare.

As the bus engine roared to life, Smith expressed optimism that years of advocacy and collaboration would yield positive outcomes.

“You never know with politics,” she concluded. “But I’m feeling confident. We’ve prepared our case and now we have to make our presence felt.”