Maricopa Leaders Urge ADOT to Prioritize SR 347 in Upcoming 5-Year Plan

Maricopa Mayor Nancy Smith participated in a recent Arizona State Transportation Board hearing in Bullhead City, where discussion centered on State Route 347’s potential inclusion in the Arizona Department of Transportation’s five-year construction plan. While the highway is still a candidate for this program, significant challenges lie ahead.

Board members listened to community requests for the highway’s widening and considered financing options to facilitate the project. ADOT Division Director Matt Maul indicated that reallocating funds from other projects might allow SR 347 to enter the program. However, he cautioned that this would be contingent on addressing the “very limited funding” available for infrastructure enhancements.

“There’s very little flexibility to accommodate State Route 347 because many projects are already funded,” Maul stated.

The proposed strategy involves postponing $109 million in improvements planned for State Route 260, located east of Payson. These improvements entail widening the highway, building wildlife crossovers, and replacing guardrails.

“This decision would defer the State Route 260 Lion Springs expansion by two years,” Maul explained.

Heavy traffic congestion on SR 260 during weekends and holidays, particularly affecting the small community of Star Valley, underscores the urgency of such improvements.

Concerns regarding funding for SR 347 were raised by Sen. Lauren Kuby (D-Tempe) during discussions earlier in the year. Kuby opposed Senate Bill 1617, fearing it would elevate SR 347 projects over others already planned by ADOT.

Despite potential obstacles, Maricopa City Council members at the Bullhead City meeting expressed optimism. On May 6, the council approved a new sales tax to finance portions of the SR 347 project and established an intergovernmental agreement with ADOT to ensure that funds would specifically support the widening efforts.

Following the meeting, Mayor Smith urged Maricopa residents to continue advocating for the project by communicating with ADOT. Councilmember Vincent Manfredi echoed her call, emphasizing the necessity of public engagement.

“The people of Maricopa need to be heard, and to do that, we need them all to speak up,” Manfredi asserted, acknowledging the difficult decisions facing the board.