347 becomes battleground for state funding

City leaders are turning up the heat on Gov. Katie Hobbs, who is considering some $67 million in budget cuts to improvements along State Route 347 from Interstate 10 to SR 238 in Maricopa.

Mayor Nancy Smith and her fellow city council members have urged residents to send emails to the governor’s office, asking them to air their complaints and attend Arizona Transportation Board meetings.

Threatened 347 improvements cuts include $18 million off intersections and $49 million off traffic interchange improvements. Cutting $25 million from the Riggs Road-347 overpass project was earlier reported.

“If any of those funds are clawed back, that sets us back for matching funds from the federal government,” Mayor Smith said this week.

She said city leaders are working “to the greatest extent” to ensure state highway improvement funds remain in the state’s five-year plan, which includes SR 347.

Arizona Department of Transportation has several planned improvement projects on the SR 347 corridor between I-10 and SR 238 in city limits. This segment of SR 347 is located primarily within the Gila River Indian Community.

Hobbs proposes $1 billion in state deficit cuts around the state.

The Riggs Road project is funded for construction beginning in 2026, ADOT officials said.

Hobbs explained why she was slashing the state budget, targeting nearly $420 million in transportation projects.

“We are cutting out the wasteful taxpayer spending while making critical investments that will help middle class families buy a home, expand access to childcare, make prescription drugs more affordable and protect disabled Arizonans and seniors,” Hobbs said after floating her intent to nix the 347/Riggs Road project.

“This is what it looks like to invest in our communities and build a state that works for every Arizonan,” the governor said.

As proposed, the project would construct a new interchange to fully separate traffic on SR 347 and Riggs Road. State transportation officials said it would improve traffic flow and safety.

The state is now improving John Wayne Parkway from SR 238 to Smith-Enke Road. Work should be completed by June.

ADOT will advertise for construction to widen SR 347 to three lanes each way from I-10 to city limits next summer — if funding is not cut.

Also proposed are intersection layout improvements and new traffic signals at the Casa Blanca Road and Mammoth Way intersections, with the project being advertised for construction in next spring. The project is already funded.

Repaving of SR 347 between I-10 and Lakeview Drive in Maricopa is also proposed to begin in late 2026, if it survives the budget ax.

If you want to contact Hobbs’ office, click here or call 602-542- 4331.