Sonoran Desert Parkway’s $355M Finale: County Seeks Your Voice!

The Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway expansion project is seeking input from local residents this week. This initiative, backed by Pinal County, aims to enhance transportation between Maricopa and Interstate 10 in Casa Grande.

Pinal County has enlisted Jacobs Engineering from Tempe to assess the proposed “East-West Corridor.” This corridor is designed to transform the existing MCG route into a more viable roadway option.

The first segment of this expansion, the Sonoran Desert Parkway, opened in fall 2023. This $30 million project connects Porter Road to John Wayne Parkway close to Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino. Its launch followed intense negotiations between local authorities and the Indian community.

A 2015 report by Jacobs Engineering estimated the total cost of the project at $175 million. However, costs have ballooned to $355 million as of July 2023, raising concerns about funding.

Pinal County is set to hold a virtual public meeting on January 30 at 6 p.m., where planners will present designs and gather feedback from commuters. Those interest can participate online or by calling in.

The need for this project is underscored by significant population growth. In 2000, Maricopa had only 1,040 residents. Today, that number surpasses 75,000, while Casa Grande’s population has similarly doubled. Projections suggest Maricopa could exceed 500,000 residents by 2040, necessitating improved roadway infrastructure.

“Both of these communities have major transportation facilities that connect to the north and south such as State Route 347 and I-10. However, neither of these communities have an efficient or high-capacity east-west transportation facility connecting these two growing communities,” Jacobs Engineering stated in its study summary.

The proposed extension would feature a parkway system, characterized by fewer exits and entries to facilitate smoother traffic flow compared to existing two-lane roads.

It is noteworthy that this study will not include a connection between SR 347 and I-10 north of Maricopa due to jurisdictional limitations involving the Gila River Indian Community.

The project, still in its initial phases, is expected to take years to complete. With only one of twelve phases finished, securing the estimated $174 million in funding will be crucial for its advancement.