Majority of Maricopans Favor Higher Taxes for SR 347 Improvements, Survey Reveals

State Route 347, a vital artery for residents in Maricopa, is sparking discussions about necessary upgrades. The two-lane road, frequently cited for accidents, is the only direct route to Phoenix.

Many within the community advocate for the addition of a third lane in each direction. In a recent poll conducted by InMaricopa, 1,373 readers were asked if they would support a city sales tax to fund the expansion of SR 347.

This inquiry follows an earlier report detailing the dissolution of the Pinal Regional Transportation Authority (PRTA), which has generated significant public interest, attracting nearly 22,000 reads at the time of publication.

According to Maricopa City Councilman Vincent Manfredi, a long-time PRTA board member, the agency became unsustainable. He proposed the introduction of a half-cent local sales tax on city purchases as a potential solution, suggesting that further discussions at the council level are necessary.

The InMaricopa poll revealed that 60% of participants support the sales tax initiative for SR 347 improvements. As one resident, David Ollearo from The Villages, expressed, “I’m all for doubling or tripling my taxes in Maricopa.” He underscored the urgency of addressing the limited access on the road.

Conversely, 35% of voters opposed the proposed tax. Among them is Phillip C. Pettes, a 42-year landowner in Thunderbird Farms. Although he shops in Maricopa, he does not reside within city limits and voiced strong reservations about the tax. He recalls the earlier expansion from one to two lanes in the 1990s, a process that faced similar challenges.

Pettes articulated his concerns about the past taxation methods, noting, “They tried to get the state and county to fund the expansion. When that failed, the burden fell solely on local residents.” He stressed a reluctance to bear additional taxation, reflecting on previous investments he made for the road’s development.

He expressed outrage at the idea of a new sales tax on top of existing state taxes, asserting, “We have already paid our share.” Opinions within the community range widely, with 4.7% of poll respondents remaining undecided, indicating a desire for more information before forming a concrete stance on the issue.