SR 347 construction could last until spring

The two phases of State Route 347’s resurfacing project could last until spring 2008, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).

ADOT’s Public Involvement Officer, Bill Pederson, said the highway’s re-paving up to Riggs Road is complete, but the rubberized asphalt surface still needs to be laid. Paving of the project’s second phase, from Riggs Road to I-10, should be completed today.

Phase one, a $5.8 million project, includes resurfacing the northbound and southbound lanes between Maricopa and Riggs Road. The surface may be laid this year, if the warm weather continues. If not, Pederson said the paving will be completed next spring.

Phase one also includes a signal at the Casa Blanca Road intersection on SR 347. According to Pederson, the foundation for the signal poles is complete and the light could be installed and functioning in two weeks depending on the delivery of materials.

Once paving is complete, construction will begin on a dual left turn-lane for northbound traffic merging onto the westbound I-10. With a four-month construction period that started in mid-October, the estimated completion for the $3.2 million phase two is early February.

“The construction is currently on schedule,” Pederson said.