MAG study recommends new interchanges, access-management plan for Grand Avenue–Loop 303; residents say ADOT failed to notify

Sun City West — The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) on Thursday presented a regional study that maps transportation improvements for Grand Avenue (U.S. 60) and Loop 303 through 2050 and recommends short-term fixes, a new interchange east of the current Grand Avenue–303 crossing and major upgrades to the existing interchange.

Brad Williams, special projects coordinator for MAG, told several dozen residents at Sun City West that the study’s purpose is "identify where transportation improvements are going to be needed between now and the year 2050, and when are they going to be needed." He said MAG included planned development from member jurisdictions and freight operators in its forecasts.

MAG said the study area now has about 50,000 residents, expects roughly another 50,000 by 2030, and — in the presentation’s wording — will be "close to a quarter of 1000000 people" by 2050. Williams warned that growth has already driven serious congestion at the 303–Grand Avenue interchange and nearby 163rd Avenue, with the presentation citing peak backups of about 20 minutes to merge onto the 303.

To address the problem MAG proposed a three-step approach: accelerate small, near-term capacity measures (turn lanes and…