Buckeye council approves permanent 3‑lane Monroe Avenue configuration and interim restripe; earlier motion to restore four lanes fails

The Buckeye City Council on Aug. 26 approved a permanent three‑lane configuration for Monroe Avenue through Old Town and authorized an interim three‑lane restriping to be installed in the coming months, after staff presentations, public comment and council debate.

Development Services Director Brian Craig told council the decision would set the long‑term configuration for downtown and guide needed below‑grade utility and stormwater work. “Regardless of what lane configuration we choose as a community, as a council, we still have to reconstruct Monroe,” Craig said, noting the city must upgrade paving, water, sewer and storm systems and that much of reconstruction cost is below grade.

The discussion included public comments raising safety and visibility concerns at crossings and calls to preserve parking and business access. A resident, Jose…