Regional planners present Superstition Vistas multimodal study outlining major roadway, transit and bike/ped projects

Maricopa Association of Governments staff presented the Superstition Vistas multimodal transportation planning study to the Apache Junction City Council on Oct. 21, 2025, outlining a planning framework of roadway widenings, new corridors, intersection improvements and non‑motorized connections intended to guide local and regional transportation investments through 2050.

The study, presented by MAG Executive Director Ed Zirker and senior planner Anna (Hannah) Quincy, projects population growth of roughly 70% in the study area over the next 25 years and forecasts a 152% increase in employment by 2050. Quincy said the plan includes 136 new or widened roadway projects, 34 operational intersection improvements and about 199 non‑motorized projects, and that the study will include a funding and implementation plan when finalized.

The study area spans parts of Apache Junction and neighboring jurisdictions — including Mesa, Queen Creek, Florence and San Tan Valley — and covers lands managed by the Arizona State Land Department as well as areas adjacent to the Gila River Indian Community. MAG senior planner Anna Quincy said the study is intended as a technical framework rather than a prescription: “Superstition VISTAs is one of Arizona’s fastest growing subregions,” she said, adding the network recommendations are meant to guide local planning and coordinate future investments.

Key recommendations shown to the council include widening and new arterial corridors to address near‑term congestion hot spots on corridors such as Hunt Highway, Ironwood Drive, Ellsworth Road and Germann Road; new east‑west and north‑south corridors east of the Central Arizona Project canal to improve grid connectivity; and a set of freeway and freight corridor projects to support regional mobility and industrial growth. The presentation also identified potential long‑range fixed‑route transit extensions and preferred freight corridors tied to rail access plans.

On a question about the Solar/Silver King project — a large potential development that was discussed during the presentation — MAG staff said the project remains in early planning and public outreach phases. Zirker said the study’s recommended roadway network would remain essentially the same whether that development proceeds; the project would alter some long‑range traffic volumes but not the overall framework MAG is proposing.

The study also references the State Route 24 conversion to a full freeway with grade‑separated interchanges by 2030 in MAG’s recommended network and notes coordination with ADOT’s tier 1 environmental review for north–south corridor planning. MAG told the council it will begin a US 60 corridor study (Ironwood Road to Superstition Mountain Drive) at Apache Junction’s request and plans to advertise that project in January 2026.

MAG staff said they expect to bring the final Superstition Vistas report and its implementation plan to MAG policy committees for acceptance in January 2026. Council members asked about timing for specific corridor work and about whether the city would need to revisit zoning in areas south of U.S. 60 to align land use with the study’s employment and growth forecasts; city staff said zoning west of the canal was adopted after annexation and could be used for planning, while lands east of the canal would require coordination with the State Land Department.

The study presentation was given by MAG staff and followed by council questions and discussion. No formal council action on the study was taken at the meeting; MAG will return with next steps and the US 60 corridor scoping work with city staff.