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Maricopa leaders press state to accelerate funding for State Route 347 widening and Riggs Road overpass
Summary
City officials and residents urged the State Transportation Board and state legislators to move up funding and accelerate design and construction of the full widening of State Route 347 and the Riggs Road overpass, citing outreach campaigns and a bill that would shift construction dollars earlier.
Maricopa officials said they are pressing state transportation leaders to accelerate funding and construction of the full widening of State Route 347, including the Riggs Road overpass.
Mayor Smith and council members told the City Council on Feb. 18 that the city has been active at the State Transportation Board and the state Capitol to move the project into earlier funding cycles. ‘‘We had five people that spoke during this event, including myself, and definitely fighting hard for State Route 347, the full project, the widening, the intersections,’’ Mayor Smith said during her report to the council.
City officials emphasized why the project matters to Maricopa: they want added lanes, intersection improvements and the Riggs Road overpass to reduce congestion and support future growth. Mayor Smith said State Route 347 was the only project singled out for a detailed slide during a recent five-year-plan work session and described the attention as ‘‘wonderful news’’ for the city.
Council members and residents have been using an outreach tool at 347fax.com to send messages to legislators and the State Transportation Board. Mayor Smith told the council that 80 people submitted emails in a recent few days regarding SB1617, a bill the council said would move funding for the Riggs Road overpass from 2028 to 2026, and that an additional 66 people used the outreach site in the prior two weeks. ‘‘The numbers are just — we’re well over 1,100 at this point in terms of individuals from the city of Maricopa that have communicated with our state legislators,’’ she said.
Mayor Smith said the city testified in favor of SB1617 before the Senate appropriations committee and reported an 8–1 committee vote in favor of moving the funds. She asked residents to attend upcoming State Transportation Board meetings and regional transportation policy meetings to continue advocacy.
The council discussed the half‑cent county sales tax proposal in Maricopa County, noting that the tax could create funding opportunities for the 347 project in later phases. Councilmembers said they plan to press regional partners to include the city’s lane additions in earlier phases of county or regional investments.
No formal local action on the project was taken during the meeting; council members encouraged residents to engage with state officials and to attend future hearings and briefings.
