Economic rebound helps Mesa freeway project get back on track
Plans for State Route 24, the Gateway Freeway
A rebound in the economy eventually will help East Valley commuters avoid traffic congestion, with higher sales tax revenues paying for a three-mile expansion of State Route 24, also known as the Gateway Freeway, near Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport.
Now little more than a one-mile interchange off the Loop 202, State Route 24 would allow Mesa to build a new terminal on the east side of the airport; provide a faster route for residents of Eastmark, an upscale master-planned community on the former site of the General Motors Proving Grounds; and give beleaguered Queen Creek and San Tan Valley drivers much better access to larger Valley cities.
Gilbert officials also are reviewing a decade-old transportation plan to see if the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes originally envisioned would still be helpful, or if other improvements might be more effective in reducing congestion or improving safety.
