Published on June 13, 2022
Members of City Council, dignitaries, and the media were on hand this morning to witness the groundbreaking of the upcoming Sonoran Desert Parkway. This project represents the first step of a multi-phase, high-capacity corridor that will ultimately link the City of Maricopa to Casa Grande and I-10. Uniquely, this project will construct the first purpose-built Arizona Parkway in the State, and provide an important all-weather access across the Santa Rosa Wash. Population estimates from theU.S. Census Bureauput Maricopa and Casa Grande among the fastest growing cities in the nation. Both communities have major transportation facilities that connect to the north and south such as SR 347 and I-10, however, neither of these communities have an efficient east – west transportation facility connecting these two growing communities. Sonoran Desert Parkway consists of a 4-lane parkway which begins at the Ak-Chin Casino entrance, then follows the existing Farrell Road alignment to Porter Road. The project then turns north and constructs Porter Road with a new bridge over the Santa Rosa Wash. This Porter Road connection is critical to regional circulation and local access. "A journey of a thousand miles starts with a few steps," said Mayor Christian Price. "This is going to be a key and critical project for the City of Maricopa as we continue to expand." The first phase of this multi-phase project is expected to last at least 13 months.