Ak-Chin Community joins city in working for RR overpass

The Maricopa City Council met with the Ak-Chin Tribal Council Monday to discuss how the two groups can work together on transportation, education and other issues.

The State Route 347 grade-separation was a hot topic.

“We have a need and a joint stake in the game that this transportation issue, i.e. the 347 overpass, becomes a reality,” Mayor Christian Price said.

Price said building an overpass is a big project and is a lifeline for both Maricopa residents and members of the Ak-Chin Community

“Our people need it, the economic development of this area depends on it, and that’s just the start,” Price said.

Ak-Chin Tribal Chairman Louis J. Manuel, Jr. said prior to working with the city, the community addressed transportation issues on their own terms.

“We know it will make a bigger impact doing it together than on two different avenues moving forward,” Manuel said.

Ak-Chin Tribal Vice Chairman William J. Antone agreed an overpass is essential to both communities.

“We’ve always shared these roads, back then when they were dirt roads we shared them, so why not continue now?” he said. “Half our kids are going to schools out there and one of these days, God forbid, something is going to happen to one of those buses when they cross that railroad.”

Price said the two entities have worked together on a presentation they will give to the Federal Highway Administration when they go to Washington, D.C. next week for the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference.

“For the first time we’ll be able to present a joint meeting of what we’re looking to accomplish,” Price said. “And I think that speaks volumes.”

Antone said education is another important issue to the Ak-Chin Community because of jurisdiction issues.

“As of now, when on of our students gets in trouble in Maricopa High School or one of the Maricopa schools, it becomes a problem because it happened in Maricopa, but we can’t do anything here,” Antone said.

Price said the MUSD operates somewhat exclusively from the city, but the city can influence its decisions.

“We can act as an accessory sometimes,” he said.

Antone asked for a future meeting with the council and the Maricopa Unified School District to discuss the jurisdiction of the two communities, which Price said was a possibility.