Carefree Highway to Anthem gets more lanes
by Kathleen Stinson

NORTH VALLEY – The Maricopa Association of Governments has approved $33.1 million in funding for fast‑track construction on the five‑mile stretch of Interstate‑17 between Carefree Highway and Anthem Way.

The regional council of MAG voted unanimously last Wednesday to fund an additional general‑purpose lane in both directions on that portion of the interstate. On Friday, the state Transportation Board approved the council’s decision–making it final.

“I’m thrilled. There is going to be a lot of fallout from this kind of good policy,” said Pamela Gorman, state senator‑elect from Anthem. “When we fought to have some of the surplus put into accelerated highway funding, we knew there would be no earmarking. I just hoped we would get some funding on I‑17 to Anthem.”

“It’s (the widening) a major relief to everybody who lives in Anthem for several reasons, including interstate congestion,” said Frank Grimmelmann, Anthem Community Council board member.

In 2004, the Arizona Department of Transportation announced it would add general‑purpose and high‑occupancy lanes on I‑17 from Loop 101 to Carefree Highway. That project is expected to be completed the end of 2009. 

Prior to MAG’s recent decision, when ADOT spokes‑man Matt Burdick said at a September open house that I‑17 north of Carefree Highway was not scheduled for widening until 2021‑2026, the crowd of about 150 area residents immediately burst into laughter.

In 2006, the legislature set aside from surplus revenues $307 million in a State Transportation Acceleration Needs account to speed up construction of highway projects statewide. Besides the widening of I‑17 to Anthem, MAG approved six other projects countywide‑‑ for a total of $193.4 million in STAN funds.

Gorman said this highway funding will have a positive effect on the state’s economy from tourism to the real estate market.

“The approved projects will accelerate the widening of I‑10 and I‑17, while providing improved mobility on Loops 101 and 303,” said MAG Chairman James M. Cavanaugh, mayor of Goodyear, in a press release provided by MAG.

“MAG and ADOT work cooperatively under a federally authorized program in developing projects for the region. This is a great example of working together to determine priorities for faster project construction,” said Victor Mendez, director of  ADOT, in the release.

MAG transportation director Eric Anderson said construction on these newly approved projects will start in the next 12‑18 months.

Reach the reporter at kathleen@TheDesertAdvocate.com.