Legislature Pushes Through Controversial ‘House Bill 347’ Despite Democratic Resistance

Freshman state Rep. Chris Lopez, a Republican from Maricopa, has introduced House Bill 2557, aimed at securing funding for significant upgrades to State Route 347.

After the Senate Appropriations Committee gave its stamp of approval to Senate Bill 1617, good news emerged when House Bill 2557 also progressed through the state legislature. This crucial bill proposes to allocate over $16.2 million from the state general fund to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for widening and improvement initiatives on SR 347, set to commence in fiscal year 2025-26.

The House Appropriations Committee backed the bill with a vote of 12-5, addressing a fraction of the estimated $143 million necessary to enhance the Pinal County segment of the highway. Notably, all five dissenting votes came from Democrats, with Rep. Kevin Volk (D-Tucson) being the sole Democratic supporter.

During the discussion, Rep. Julie Willoughby (R-Chandler) underscored the urgency of the improvements, describing them as “overdue and very necessary.” Chairman Rep. David Livingston (R-Peoria) highlighted SR 347 as a top priority due to its heavy traffic volume, criticizing ADOT for the lack of clarity regarding funding and project timelines.

Lopez emphasized the project’s importance, pointing to the estimated 56,000 vehicles that traverse SR 347 daily. “With only one way in and one way out, we must act to protect the families who rely on this route every day,” he stated.

His co-sponsor, Rep. Teresa Martinez (R-Casa Grande), expressed her enthusiasm over the progression of the bill, stating, “The 347 is our top priority, and I am so excited to see it move through the process.” She acknowledged the collaborative efforts of local legislators in advocating for the project.

As the project enters the design phase, parts of the roadway could be ready for construction advertisement by the year’s end, according to ADOT. The local community looks forward to enhanced infrastructure that aims to improve safety and accessibility on this critical route.