By Beth Easterbrook | InMaricopa.com
The main concern of Maricopa community members during an information meeting on the East-West Corridor Study Wednesday wasn’ how the project would be funded, or whether their neighborhood would be impacted by the noise
Instead, people were mostly concerned with when the project would become a reality.
In December 2011 Phoenix-based Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. began a study on behalf of Pinal County and the cities of Maricopa and Casa Grande to evaluate the need for an east-west corridor through the western region of Pinal County. Taking into account feedback from community members, already existing structures and environmental studies, several possible routes have been suggested.
The proposed corridor would stretch from State Route 347 to somewhere along the I-10 north of Casa Grande. One possible route begins at Farrell Road and connects up with SR 347, then follows Peters and Nall Road to Val Vista Drive where it continues east to the I-10. Another route begins the same but continues down SR 347 straight to Val Vista Drive. On Val Vista Drive near the Casa Grande Municipal Airport there are two suggested routes. One that falls closer to the airport and one that stays further north.
The study group also is evaluating the repercussions of a no-build alternative, which will be an option if any significant negative impacts to the cities or environment are discovered.
