A study will examine possible upgrades to Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Casa Grande.
The study will be led by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), in partnership with the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).
The evaluation is expected to take about 18 months to complete, including an expected cost and phasing strategy, according to a news release from MAG.
The study’s goal is to identify major elements that will need to be improved or replaced, and determine how to provide the necessary capacity to meet current and future travel demand. The bridge across the Gila River and the interchange at Casa Blanca Road are two examples of existing structures that may have to be replaced, reported MAG.
“An important part of the study will be the input of the Gila River Indian Community and its members to ensure that concerns about safety, community access and sensitive cultural resources are respected,” said MAG Chair Gail Barney, mayor of Queen Creek. Barney added that the economic development activities being pursued by the Wild Horse Pass Development Authority in the northern section of the Community will be considered in the study.
The study of needed I-10 improvements also will be coordinated with a study being conducted by MAG in partnership with the GRIC for State Route 347, which connects the City of Maricopa to I-10 across the Gila River Indian Community.
MAG has allocated about $65.5 million for improvements to the portion of I-10 in Maricopa County, with funding coming from the Proposition 400, the dedicated transportation sales tax in Maricopa County.
