ADOT: 347 the site of nearly 1,000 crashes last 5 years

According to Arizona Department of Transportation statistics, a total of 967 crashes were reported on State Rout 347 from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2022.

This means an average of 193 crashes occurred each year, or nearly one crash every other day.

Most of the collisions resulted in no injuries but 21 of those had serious injuries and another 15 were fatal.

Such statistics were shared Thursday night as a few dozen Maricopa residents showed up to hear the findings of an ADOT road safety analysis at the Maricopa Library and Cultural Center.

The ADOT safety assessment on SR 347 was focused on the 14-mile stretch of road between Maricopa’s north boundary and the I-10 interchange.

A road safety assessment is a formal examination of “an existing or future road or intersection” that includes on-site observations, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

Most residents attending the event said they were curious to see the information ADOT had to share.

“I just want to get information on what’s going on with 347 and hear it straight from ADOT,” Cobblestone Farms resident Antonia Presume said. “There’s too many accidents on the 347 and ADOT needs to see that the people of Maricopa care about what happens on our roads.”

Brent Cain, a division director for ADOT, said the assessment was initiated by residents expressing concern for driver safety and growing congestion.

“We looked at a five-year history because we want to look at a long period and get the general trends,” Cain said.

The presentation highlighted collision trends and ADOT’s recommendations to reduce crashes on the road.

‘Eye opening’ crash data

The most staggering information from the analysis came from the crash data.

Other data showed 68% of collisions were a result of a rear-end crash, and the highest number of crashes occurred in the 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. hours.

“That really represents a commuter type of crash,” Cain said. “(Crashes are) heavy in the morning and heavy in the evening, which does match the peak traffic conditions.”

Most crashes occurred at an intersection, and the Riggs Road intersection was the site of the highest number of crashes on SR 347. In fact, it had the fourth highest number of collisions at a signalized intersection on a state highway in Arizona.

This information was shocking to a number of attendees, including Sonya Loveland.

“It’s an eye opener, especially the statistics,” she said. “I would love to see that slide (on crash data) a little bit better since I drive (SR 347) every day.”

Short-term recommendations

After presenting the data, Cain said the assessment included determining a number of short-term recommendations that can take place between longer-term projects.

“This is not the ultimate solution but what can we do … now to help with the crashes that are out there,” Cain said.

Cain said ADOT recommended several short-term solutions, including re-striping the road to add or extend turn lanes to “help with traffic capacity.” Other recommendations included speed enforcement by the Department of Public Safety, installing additional signage, re-evaluating posted speed limits and installing median crossovers, a short roadway on the median that allows for U-turns in emergencies.

Longer-term projects on SR 347 include constructing an interchange at Riggs Road, adding an additional lane in each direction and improvements to intersections at Casa Blanca and Cement Plant roads.

However, State Engineer and Deputy Director Greg Byers warned these kinds of projects take time and money.

“None of this is happening very fast,” Byers said. “It takes time to go through and do the studies that are necessary, it takes time to do the planning that’s necessary, but even harder, it takes time to get the funding. That’s one of the biggest hangups that we have.”

At the end of the meeting, Mayor Nancy Smith said she believed the assessment was helpful for Maricopa residents.

“I think we had a great delivery of the road safety analysis information from ADOT and a great interchange of questions,” she said. “I think the public was very encouraged by the information they received. We want people to take home these things. Take this information home and share it with family, with neighbors, share it on Facebook.”