Nancy Smith. Via the City of Maricopa
(Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents a coalition of property and business owners throughout Pinal County who have worked to bring new transportation infrastructure to the region.)
By Maricopa Mayor Nancy Smith | Pinal Central
The city of Maricopa is growing rapidly, and with that growth comes the critical need for better infrastructure — especially along State Route 347, the primary artery that connects our community to the greater Phoenix area. As we work to address traffic congestion and improve safety along this vital corridor, I want to publicly thank one of our most essential partners: the Gila River Indian Community.
We are deeply grateful to Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis and the Gila River Indian Community for their powerful letter of support to the Arizona State Transportation Board advocating for the widening and improvement of SR347. Their support is not only generous — it is foundational. The SR347 corridor runs directly through GRIC land, and any future improvements depend on their collaboration and leadership.
As Gov. Lewis expressed, this is more than a matter of transportation — it’s a matter of safety, mobility and shared prosperity. The road sees over 58,000 vehicles a day, and too often, dangerous conditions lead to serious accidents and congestion. The GRIC has long endured the consequences of inadequate infrastructure, including increased traffic through their residential areas when drivers attempt to bypass delays. Their advocacy underscores the urgency we all share.
