Rep. Seaman Unveils Reasons Behind Ongoing Delays of SR 347

Rep. Keith Seaman was recently spotted outside Neaux Coffee in Maricopa, voicing his concerns regarding the hazardous conditions of State Route 347, which has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous roads in Arizona.

Despite this recognition, efforts to secure funding for improvements have once again been postponed. Seaman highlighted that since his election to the state legislature two years ago, addressing SR 347’s perilous state has been his top infrastructure priority. He noted that all three lawmakers from the district acknowledge the urgent need for upgrades not just to SR 347, but also to Interstate 10 and State Route 387.

As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Seaman has endeavored to allocate funding for Pinal County roads in each legislative session. Sadly, funding has frequently been deferred, exacerbating a situation that he describes as an obvious safety crisis, marked by frequent accidents and hospital visits. The Arizona Department of Transportation is poised to commence construction but lacks the necessary funding, which has been redirected elsewhere.

In 2021, the majority party enacted significant tax cuts benefiting high earners, compromising the state budget and contributing to a deficit exceeding $2 billion. This financial shortfall forced legislators to make painful cuts to essential programs, leading to further delays in improving SR 347.

Additionally, a recent expansion of private school vouchers has cost the state hundreds of millions, further straining resources. As a result, the proposed intersection improvement at Riggs Road will face an additional four-year delay, with widening plans remaining entirely unfunded.

Seaman is open to collaboration with colleagues across the aisle but firmly opposes tax cuts that primarily support wealthier individuals while leaving middle-class families to cope with deteriorating infrastructure. He emphasizes a need for fiscal responsibility and prioritizing taxpayer funds for vital road improvements over subsidies for luxury items.

With the legislature reconvening in January, Seaman calls for new leadership to prioritize essential funding and expedite the SR 347 intersection project. He believes that without substantial changes to budget policies, critical infrastructure improvements will continue to suffer.

Keith Seaman, a veteran public school educator, currently represents Legislative District 16, encompassing Maricopa and much of Pinal County.