John Willett, deputy director of transportation for the City of Buckeye, told the Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 28, 2025, that a broad slate of roadway, signal and safety projects is moving through design and construction, and that several design concept reports and grant-funded plans will be completed in 2026.

"I'm John Willett, deputy director of transportation as of 3 weeks in the program management office," Willett said, opening the department's annual update. He said the presentation was for information and discussion only and that no commission action was requested.

Willett listed recent and near-term developer-funded signal projects already activated or under construction, including the traffic signal at Miller and Fry's (operational), the Verrado Way and Market Street signal (poles installed, activation expected within weeks), and a Verrado Way signal in Lost Creek that has started construction. He also said Canyon Springs Boulevard at Desert Vista and a signal at Indian School Road near Fry's are expected to be completed in early 2026.

The presentation described Cart-infrastructure and city CIP work that will affect capacity and operations: Roosevelt eastbound lanes to Jackrabbit are open and a Jackrabbit/Roosevelt signal was recently turned on; McDowell improvements near Verrado include an Acacia intersection signal; and Jackrabbit Trail projects will widen sections and add signals at McDowell and Thomas. Willett said some work is timed so ADOT and city projects align as state-led work proceeds.

Willett emphasized investments in intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and a traffic management center that will allow staff to monitor signals remotely. "It allows folks in my group literally reach out and touch a signal remotely from their desk," he said, explaining the benefit for incident response and special events such as Buckeye Days.

He described pedestrian-safety measures planned or in design, including a funded signal at Rainbow and Sundance (a location with a prior fatality) and two HAWK pedestrian signals at Apache/Yonker and Monroe/Ninth. Willett explained how HAWK signals remain dark until activated by a pedestrian, then display a flashing yellow and a stop condition to motorists.

The city is advancing several large corridor studies and design concept reports (DCRs). Willett said a DCR for Indian School/Jackrabbit and a DCR for Miller Road (Broadway to Lower Buckeye) are underway; the Miller segment has a MAG grant of $6,600,000 to support widening and related improvements. He said DCRs generally complete in 2026 and that the same consultants often continue into final design to preserve continuity.

Willett described an interim strategy on Miller Road between Southern and Lower Buckeye using temporary paving to add lanes while the permanent design and right-of-way work proceed. He noted constraints at RID Canal crossings and temporary signal pole locations that will be addressed during final design.

On regional coordination, Willett reviewed upcoming ADOT and MAG projects affecting Buckeye, including the Jackrabbit Trail interchange work that is scheduled to advertise for construction in early 2026 and corridor planning for SR-85 and S 385. He said MAG will lead a study of S 385 from I-10 to the Gila River and that the corridor study outcome favors signalized intersections rather than roundabouts.

Willett said the city received a Federal Highway Administration grant to prepare a transportation safety plan so Buckeye can pursue additional safety funding and proactively identify intersections with elevated crash risk. "This program will help us start to identify what could be a problem before it is a problem and fix it," he said.

He also briefed the commission on an ITS strategic plan to guide fiber, conduit and signal communications across the city; an intergovernmental agreement the city is finishing to take over Sun Valley Parkway from the county; and a delay in a previously discussed I-10 widening (a proposed fourth lane) while ADOT and MAG re-evaluate funding and approach.

Commissioners offered brief thanks and praise for the update; several said they had no questions. Planning staff confirmed the commission will have no Nov. 11 meeting because of Veterans Day and reminded members the next regular meeting is scheduled for Nov. 25.

Willett's briefing provides a near-term schedule for construction starts in early 2026 on several city projects and confirms that grant-funded planning and DCR work will shape final alignments and funding requests next year.