Buckeye to widen Jackrabbit Trail to three lanes each way; signals planned at McDowell and Thomas

The City of Buckeye plans to widen Jackrabbit Trail from McDowell Road north to Osborne Road to three travel lanes in each direction, install full traffic signals at McDowell and Thomas roads, add ADA‑compliant pedestrian ramps and crosswalks, and add new street lighting and turn lanes, City project manager Allison Camelucci said at a public meeting.

Camelucci said the project is part of the city’s Capital Improvement Program and will be constructed in three phases, with utility relocations already underway. "We are gonna be completing the southbound traffic first," Camelucci said, describing a phased approach that keeps one center lane open during parts of construction and shifts traffic to newly built lanes as work moves across the roadway.

The project matters to nearby residents and businesses because it will change access and traffic patterns during construction and when complete. The city plans medians, controlled turn lanes and detached sidewalks with landscape buffers to separate pedestrians from traffic. Camelucci said the city expects intermittent lane and intersection closures, possible detours, sidewalk closures, restricted driveway access and reduced speed limits in construction areas; notifications and coordination with landowners will be provided in advance.

City construction work is to be coordinated with other projects in the corridor, Camelucci said, including McDowell Road work currently under construction from Tuthill Wash to Jackrabbit and Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) improvements at the I‑10 interchange. "We are coordinating our construction with ADOT's timeline," she said, adding that the city has a point of contact at ADOT for scheduling details.

Camelucci said the city will construct the traffic signals at the McDowell–Jackrabbit intersection because that intersection lies entirely inside Buckeye. When asked whether the Jackrabbit/I‑10 intersection would remain a stop sign, she said that ADOT plans to signalize that intersection and that the city is coordinating with ADOT on timing and sequencing.

On project timing, Camelucci said utility relocation work is in progress and that the city expects to "begin construction on this project early next year" and "be done in the 2027 with all 3 phases" (as spoken). City traffic official John Willett provided a separate schedule for McDowell Road work, saying, "McDowell from Tuthill E West To Broadway is under construction. They're scheduled to be completed in early 26," attributing an early‑2026 completion window for that segment.

Camelucci answered questions about land acquisition along Jackrabbit, saying there are no full parcel takeoffs on the east side in the current limits and that the city is purchasing and annexing right of way where needed. "We do not have any parcels that are a full take," she said, and that staff are working with affected landowners.

The city emphasized outreach: Camelucci directed attendees to a questions and comments form, a QR code, and a transportation newsletter for updates and schedule notices. She gave her contact phone and email for follow‑up.

What remains undecided or unspecified in the meeting record: exact construction start and finish dates beyond the phrases "early next year" and "2027," detailed detour routes if needed, and final traffic‑control sequencing for individual driveways; Camelucci said those will be communicated to affected property owners ahead of work.

For further information, Camelucci provided contact details and advised residents to look for newsletter items labeled "Jack Rabbit Trail."