County and City Leaders, Democrats and Republicans, Elected Officials and Business Leaders: Massive Support Builds for Props 416 and 417
Nearly Two Dozen People File Ballot Statements In Support Of Propositions To Build New Roads And Freeways In Pinal County
(Casa Grande, Ariz.) Two November ballot items designed to solve Pinal County’s current transportation problems and future challenges have the support of all members of the Pinal County Board of Supervisors, the Pinal County Sheriff and County Attorney in addition to a long list of Pinal County Mayors, community leaders, and business leaders.
Propositions 416 and 417 would create $640 million worth of new roads and freeways in Pinal County. The plan has support from all over Pinal County including the Mayors of Casa Grande, Apache Junction, Maricopa, Kearny, Coolidge, Superior, Eloy and Queen Creek. It has bipartisan support as well with endorsements coming from the Chairmen of the Pinal County Republicans and the Pinal County Democrats. The support is so broad, at least 22 ballot statements have been filed in support of Propositions 416 and 417.
The coalition supporting the propositions is chaired by Pinal County Supervisor and Casa Grande resident Steve Miller, the Finance Committee Chairman is County Supervisor Todd House who lives in the Apache Junction/ Gold Canyon area; and its Treasurer is San Tan Valley resident and Pinal County GOP Chair Michael Burke.
For a list of those endorsing Propositions 416 and 417 click here.
The road projects built through Props 416 and 417 are designed to solve traffic challenges in every corner of Pinal County, getting residents east to west and north to south. There is also funding for Dial-a-Ride services benefitting seniors and the disabled.
The new infrastructure will attract more job creating companies, so that more residents will be able to live AND work in Pinal County. New roads and freeways will help reduce response times for police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and firefighters. Ambulances will be able to respond faster when minutes count.
For a detailed list of the projects to be built by Props 416 and 417 click here.
The projects would be paid for with a half cent increase in the sales tax, ensuring that people visiting Pinal County, as well as residents, will fund the effort. It WILL NOT raise property taxes.
If Propositions 416 and 417 pass, a Citizens’ Oversight Committee will be appointed to ensure maximum accountability and that the funds will be effectively used to timely complete the projects.
Pinal County Supervisor and Committee Chairman Steve Miller said, “This transportation plan was designed by Pinal County and for Pinal County. We can’t wait for Washington DC or the State of Arizona to fix our traffic problems. This may be the most important vote we cast in the next few decades to secure Pinal County’s quality of life. Fewer traffic gridlocks. More economic development. Better public safety.”
The projects include:
Selma Highway
A four-lane roadway in Casa Grande from Thornton Road to the west to the future North-South Parkway to the East, located near the City of Coolidge and connecting to Florence, San Tan and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.
State Route 347 in Maricopa
Expansion of the principal roadway from four lanes to six lanes into Maricopa between the Pinal-Maricopa County line to the North, and the municipal boundary of the City of Maricopa to the south.
State Route 24 Parkway through San Tan Valley
A new four-mile long four-lane east-west parkway between State Route 24 at Ironwood Road to the West, and the future alignment of the North-South Parkway to the East.
Kortsen/Kleck Road Alignment
Also referred to as the “Casa Grande Connector,” this 14 mile project involves the widening of this road from two lanes to four lanes from Henness Road to the West, located in the City of Casa Grande, to the North-South Parkway to the East connecting Coolidge and Florence and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.
I-10 Traffic Interchange
The Kortsen/Kleck Road Alignment in Casa Grande involves a new traffic interchange at I-10 to better facilitate traffic.
Cordones Road
The new road, located in the southern Pinal County community of SaddleBrooke, is a 1.5 miles long, north-south, two-lane minor arterial roadway facility to alleviate existing traffic concerns.
Thornton Road
Four mile widening of Thornton Road in Casa Grande from two lanes to four lanes, from State Route 84 to the north, to Interstate 8 to the south.
Peters Road
Important one mile road improvement in Casa Grande to assist additional “regional” economic development project in a high job growth area.
East-West Corridor Between Maricopa and Casa Grande
The 21 mile four-lane project will begin at State Route 347 in the city of Maricopa and extend east through northern Casa Grande to I-10.
Montgomery Road
Eight miles of improvements to the Montgomery Road Corridor from the East-West Corridor to the North, located in the City of Casa Grande, to Interstate 8 to the South.
North-South Parkway between Apache Junction/Gold Canyon/Florence/Coolidge/Casa Grande and I-10
New construction of a 36 mile, north-south, four-lane highway between U.S. Highway 60 in the City of Apache Junction to the north and connecting to the I-10 via the 14 mile corridor to Kortsen/Kleck Road south of Coolidge to Casa Grande.
North-South Parkway Right of Way
Purchase of additional right of way for the remainder of the North-South Parkway by purchasing 15 miles from Kortsen/Kleck Road to the north to I-10 on the south near Eloy to connect with I-10.
West Pinal Freeway/ROW Preservation
Right of way acquisition for the West Pinal Freeway corridor, from the Pinal-Maricopa County line to the west, and Interstate 8 to the south.
Superior, Mammoth, Kearney, and Eloy Transportation Projects
Six million dollars will be allocated to each of these smaller communities in Pinal County for local road projects. The annual appropriation will be $300,000 to each community for 20 years.
Dial-a-Ride for Seniors and the Disabled
Provision of annual funding for Dial-a-Ride services to assist people with disabilities, seniors, and members of the general public.
Parking Lot Projects
New Park and Ride lots will be constructed to ease commutes.
