Maricopa Takes Bold Step to Accelerate the SR 347 Widening Project

Published on February 13, 2025

The City of Maricopa is exploring a new path to address one of the community’s most urgent concerns: the future of State Route 347 (“SR 347”). With rapid growth and increasing traffic, the need for widening the 347 has never been more pressing. Today, City Council members are proposing a potential solution that could fast-track progress on this critical project.

The SR 347 highway is an essential link connecting Maricopa to the greater Phoenix area, but for years, it has been overlooked. Thirty years have passed since the last major project added capacity to SR 347, and daily traffic has exploded in volume since then. Right now, there is no funding identified to widen the roadway within Pinal County, and no timeline for this widening. Past efforts, including two countywide half-cent sales tax measures, have ultimately proven unsuccessful in providing a funding solution. While the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) holds responsibility and jurisdiction for the project, the state’s limited resources have left Maricopans at the back of the line.

However, acknowledging this as a clear priority of the community, City Council members are now taking a proactive approach to advance the project. The City Council is considering implementing a half-cent sales tax within Maricopa. This tax would provide funding directly for the widening of SR 347, with the goal of positioning the project for inclusion in ADOT’s five-year construction plan. The City Council, elected to represent the interests of the community, has the statutory authority to fund this necessary infrastructure project.

Over the past two years, the City of Maricopa has made tremendous progress toward improving SR 347. Maricopa worked with state representatives and senators to secure legislative funding for the Riggs Road overpass and ensured the inclusion of the funding to complete five critical miles of the highway in Maricopa County in Proposition 479, which Maricopa County voters approved in November. Additionally, a long list of safety improvements has already been implemented along the corridor. Capacity and widening projects have also been completed within the city limits, allowing for a seamless flow once the roadway is fully expanded.

This proposed sales tax is the last piece of the puzzle for the Pinal County portion of the project. Without this action, the SR 347 widening will not be prioritized in the foreseeable future, leaving our community to wait potentially decades for much-needed improvements. Without a local funding match, ADOT will not be able to find the financial resources necessary to include the widening project in their expansion plan.

This proposal is not about raising taxes unnecessarily. It’s about creating immediate progress for Maricopa by leveraging local funding to get the SR 347 widening project off the ground. The proposed tax would apply only to purchases within the city, funding the construction of additional lanes on the highway and other transportation improvements to better accommodate for the future growth of Maricopa.

Why Now?

For years, the City of Maricopa has been financially preparing for such an opportunity. By reducing property taxes for six consecutive years and funding projects without issuing bonds, the city has positioned itself to take this step when the time was right. In fact, as it currently stands, only eight cities in the state have a lower sales tax rate than Maricopa. This isn’t just about widening a road; it’s about being financially prudent while securing Maricopa’s future and making sure our infrastructure meets the needs of our growing community.

How Will This Work?

In the coming months, we will hold a series of informational meetings and open houses to explain details and receive input on the plan. After those meetings, the item will be placed on a City Council agenda for consideration. If approved by the City Council, the new tax would be implemented a minimum of 60 days later.

A Commitment to the Future

This is a bold step for Maricopa, but one that reflects the City Council’s commitment to the community’s long-term prosperity. By taking control of this critical infrastructure need, Maricopa will not only improve road safety but also bolster the economic development necessary to support the city’s growth.

City leaders are committed to making Maricopa the best place to live, work, and raise a family. This is a key move in that direction. By investing in State Route 347, we’re investing in the future of our city and finding our way to get our residents home safely each day.

Check back on the official Building Better Roads website for updates.

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