ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
(Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents a coalition of property and business owners throughout Pinal County working to bring new transportation infrastructure to the region.)
By Janet Perez | Florence Independent
After extensive studies, the Arizona Department of Transportation has selected a final 55-mile North-South Corridor through Pinal County.
The selected corridor stretches from U.S. Highway 60 in Apache Junction to Interstate 10 in Eloy and passes through Florence.
Elan Vallender, director of economic development for Florence, said the short-term advantages of the corridor could come quickly to the area.
“I expect that we will see interest in land along the corridor increase significantly, causing a boost in land sales and likely land prices in the market,” Vallender said. “In the long run, this corridor will create new opportunities for commercial development and employment centers.”
The purpose of the North-South Corridor study was to enhance the area’s transportation network to accommodate current and future population and employment growth, thus improving access to future development and other centers of activity, according to an Arizona Department of Transportation press release.
Vallender said the corridor could lure larger businesses to Florence.
“The town is currently working on its general plan and with the landowners to discuss what development opportunities may exist and how we can work together to leverage upcoming corridor frontages to bring higher-paying employment to the area,” he said. “The North-South Corridor will create wide impacts for the town and its businesses. Traffic along this corridor will be compelling for new commercial development, which will likely include retail, restaurants, hotel and base industry employers.”
