Bidding is open for the installation of traffic lights on State Route 347 at Old Maricopa Road.
The intersection currently has a left-turn lane from the northbound lanes onto Maricopa Road and a southbound right-turn lane. Traffic is not allowed to turn north off Maricopa Road.
The intersection is in Maricopa County on Gila River Indian Community land. Maricopa Road provides access to several Gila River properties such as Wild Horse Pass Casino, the Huhugam Heritage Center and the motorsports park.
Last year, there were 21 accidents in the vicinity of the intersection, according to data from Arizona Department of Transportation.
ADOT has programmed $1.278 million for the project. As previously reported, it will add traffic signals and auxiliary lanes.
As currently planned, one acceleration lane would be in the center median of SR 347 to merge left-turning traffic from Maricopa Road into the northbound SR 347 travel lanes. The second acceleration lane would take traffic from Maricopa Road to the southbound lanes of SR 347.
The winning contractor will have more than a year to complete the work. Bids will be open Aug. 21.
The project originally was planned to start May 20, but the process was delayed. The geotechnical engineering report was completed in June.
![One of several flyers for a "TikTok rizz party" is taped to a door in the Maricopa Business Center along Honeycutt Road on April 23, 2024. [Monica D. Spencer]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/spencer-042324-tiktok-rizz-party-flyer-web-218x150.jpg "Maricopa’s ‘TikTok Rizz Party,’ explained")
![Phoenix police stop a stolen vehicle on April 20, 2024. [Facebook]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_5040-218x150.jpg "Alleged car thief released without charges")
I agree with the overpasses, no lights, a cement divider between north/south bound traffic tall enough to shield your eyes from blinding headlights at night would be great.