By Elias Weiss | InMaricopa
The Arizona Department of Transportation today released a draft of the next five-year construction plan, which continues to show funding for widening State Route 347 as the project moves toward a summer start.
The draft plan outlines highway spending from 2027 through 2031 and sets aside $86 million for SR 347 improvements in Pinal County. It also opens a public comment period that runs through May 22 before the Arizona State Transportation Board votes on final approval June 19.
For Maricopa, the update lands after a year of public pressure that reshaped the state’s construction schedule.
Local leaders and residents traveled to transportation board meetings across Arizona to argue the widening should move ahead of competing highway projects. Pinal County, spearheaded by Supervisor Rich Vitiello (R-Maricopa) pledged $20 million toward the effort. The Maricopa City Council approved a local sales tax increase and authorized agreements to ensure city funds would be dedicated to the corridor.
