By Alison Steinbach | Arizona Republic
The Arizona Department of Transportation plans to extend state Route 24 in southeast Mesa, given its proximity to the growing Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport region.
The Gateway Freeway that opened between Loop 202 and Ellsworth Road in 2014 is currently just one mile, making it the Valley’s shortest freeway.
The plan is to add another five miles to Ironwood Drive in Pinal County.
State and federal agencies are finalizing design plans, and road construction is expected to begin next fall.