The potential future freeway, which would be called the SR 505, would run from the 60 in Apache Junction to the I-10 in Eloy. ADOT is seeking feedback.
PHOENIX — Chase Estes, Steadfast Farm Operator, commutes from Gold Canyon to East Mesa every day.
“The growth has been explosive,” Estes said.
Neighbors like Estes’—in Apache Junction, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, and south to Eloy—are forced to plan for more daily headaches on the road, as more homes are built east of Phoenix.
“At 7:00 a.m., when we’re starting, it can be a full stop as people are trying to get on to the 60 right there,” Estes said.
But a newly planned freeway could significantly relieve traffic for commuters like Estes.
“This is a potential future freeway that would run from the US 60 in Apache Junction all the way down to I-10 in Eloy,” said Garin Groff, with the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Plans for the SR 505 freeway east of Downtown Phoenix are in the works. The proposed SR 505 is expected to relieve traffic on the I-10 south of Phoenix, as well as in congested neighborhoods in Pinal and eastern Maricopa Counties.
The freeway would fill a gap where there are only local roads.
“ADOT has projected that without this future corridor in the year 2040, it could take 82 minutes to get from Mesa Gateway Airport down to I-10 in Eloy,” Groff said. “With this future freeway, that 82-minute travel time would be cut to 63 minutes.”
ADOT is conducting an environmental impact study for the second phase of the freeway. That would stretch from Florence to Eloy.
“So we’re taking a look at things such as the transportation needs of the area where we expect traffic to be, where interchanges might be most useful,” Groff said.
ADOT is also studying drainage, floodplains, wildlife, noise impacts, and more.
“I think it’s great,” Estes said. “I think since that’s such a high-growth population right now and a lot of people are commuting into work, putting in roads might ease some of that traffic.”
ADOT said there’s no schedule for when design or construction could start, because funding needs to be figured out first.
The public is encouraged to share thoughts, opinions, and questions about the proposed SR 505 with ADOT now through Sep. 8.
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