Apache Junction council directs staff to pursue talks with ADOT on State Route 88 (Idaho Road)

The Apache Junction City Council voted unanimously on March 3 to direct staff to begin discussions and possible negotiations with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) on a potential relinquishment and transfer of jurisdiction for portions of State Route 88 (Idaho Road) within the city.

Supporters of the move said local control would allow the city to time signals, maintain corridor aesthetics and address safety issues in the downtown stretch. "That runs right through our downtown corridor and we need to control ... Idaho Road," Mayor Wilson said during the discussion. Mike Loggins, the city’s public works director, told council members staff can present options and cost estimates if given direction to proceed.

The debate noted several practical considerations: the city would assume maintenance of multiple traffic signals and related capital costs, and some council members said certain segments outside the roundabout resemble a rural state route and would require careful evaluation. "We do take accidents on occasion... We have taken several accidents on the 88, a couple of fatal accidents," the Police Chief said when asked about crash history, citing calls the department responds to even though the roadway is technically a state route.

Councilmembers asked whether the city could seek incentives from ADOT or state legislative funding to offset upgrades; staff referenced other cities that received state assistance. Councilmembers also discussed the possibility of staging work — prioritizing downtown and the roundabout area first — and the potential need for right-of-way or land acquisition for projects such as roundabouts. Cost examples mentioned during the meeting were presented as rough estimates by council members during discussion (for example, one figure referred to a prior roundabout estimate in the multi‑million-dollar range) and were not adopted as formal budget amounts.

After discussion, a motion "that direction to staff be given to initiate discussions and possible negotiations with the Arizona Department of Transportation for the potential relinquishment and transfer of jurisdiction of a portion of State Route 88 (Idaho Road) to the City of Apache Junction" was moved and seconded and passed unanimously on roll call.

Next steps: staff will begin conversations with ADOT and prepare options and cost estimates for council consideration; no transfer or funding commitment was approved at the meeting.