Shelley Gillespie | Special for The Republic
It’s a gamble. Southeast Valley drivers looking for a shortcut to San Diego or Rocky Point, Mexico, often choose State Route 347 through Maricopa, which can save them about 40 miles.
The gamble in taking SR 347 instead of Interstate 10 east to Interstate 8 west near Casa Grande is getting across the Union Pacific Railroad crossing in downtown Maricopa without delay.
With two to three trains an hour crossing, that potential driving-time savings can be negated quickly. Amtrak passenger trains block the crossing for as long as 30 minutes during their Maricopa stops.
