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Fox 10 Phoenix: I-10 expansion project between Chandler, Casa Grande aims to reduce crashes, congestion
Anyone who has ever driven that 26-mile stretch of I-10 south of the Valley - also known as the Wild Horse Pass Corridor - knows how it bottlenecks between the two cities, which can lead to more traffic, accidents, delays and sometimes death.
It's the only remaining section of I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson that has only two lanes in each direction. This new project will widen the highway to three lanes and extend the HOV lane from Chandler down to Riggs Road in order to decrease congestion.
AZ Family: Gov. Ducey signs bill accelerating I-10 expansion project
Governor Doug Ducey signed legislation Wednesday morning to fast-track a project aimed at reducing traffic congestion and crashes on Interstate 10. The $400 million appropriation to ADOT is something Ducey named as one of his main goals earlier this year during his State of the State address.
Arizona Public Media: Gov. Ducey approves $400 million to widen I-10
Gov. Doug Ducey signed off Wednesday on dedicating $400 million of state funds to widening Interstate 10 between Casa Grande and Chandler.
Work is expected to start next year with widening bridges over the Gila River and continue until sometime in 2026.
The project will widen about 25 miles of the interstate from two lanes to three lanes.
"This is the only stretch of I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson that has not been expanded. It still only has two lanes of travel in each direction. So, that creates a natural and unfortunate bottle neck," said Douglas Nick, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Transportation.
AZ Big Media: Here’s what to expect from I-10 widening
Commuters, vacationers and commerce will see a smoother drive between Phoenix and Tucson, as Arizona invests $400 million on widening I-10, delivering on a promise by Governor Doug Ducey in this year’s State of the State Address.
Daily Independent: Legislative action commits $400 million to address I-10 congestion
Approval of a $400 million appropriation by the Arizona legislature means the Arizona Department of Transportation can now submit a grant request for an additional $300 million in federal money for a proposed project to alleviate long standing traffic congestion on Interstate 10 between Chandler and Casa Grande.
Arizona Republic: Arizona to spend $400M on project to widen Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson
Ducey quickly signed the funding bill just two days after lawmakers sent it to his desk. In doing so, the two-term governor achieved one of his key goals for his final year in office.
"Commuters, vacationers and commerce rely on modernized roads for efficiency and safety," the governor said during a bill signing ceremony. "This legislation ensures that everyone in Arizona can get to their destination safely and quickly, even as our state continues to grow."
AP News: Arizona Gov. Ducey signs bill giving $400M for I-10 project
The highway section is the last stretch of I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson that is still just two lanes. That has led to slowdowns between Chandler and Casa Grande that limits commerce and impacts commuters traveling the section to and from growing Pinal County.
Ducey said at a signing ceremony attended by state lawmakers from both parties, the mayors of Chandler and Casa Grande and Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community that new manufacturers in Pinal County need the expansion, as do companies hauling freight from Mexico, commuters and tourists.
ABC 15: Legislature funding puts Interstate 10 widening south of Phoenix another step closer
The state financing clears the way for the Arizona Department of Transportation to submit a request to the federal government for $300 million. The Federal Infrastructure, Investments and Jobs Act required the state appropriation in order for a grant application to be made.
The federal money and the new state appropriation would be added to $290 million that has previously been budgeted to pay for the estimated $990 million project. Some of the funding comes from Proposition 400, a dedicated half-cent sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004.
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