First leg of Sonoran Desert Parkway on track for summer completion

Feb 5, 2023

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991A5900 — Work progresses on the first phase of Sonoran Desert Parkway. [Brian Petersheim Jr.]

The first leg of Sonoran Desert Parkway remains on track for completion this summer, according to a city spokesman. The parkway eventually will provide another route for Maricopans to Interstate 10 across the northern edge of Casa Grande.

The $26 million dollar, 1.6-mile first phase of Sonoran Desert Parkway runs from State Route 347 and Ak-Chin Parkway, east to Porter Road. [Brian Petersheim Jr.]

The $26 million dollar, 1.6-mile project runs from State Route 347 and Ak-Chin Parkway, east to Porter Road. This phase includes the long-awaited bridge over the Santa Rosa Wash.

“There are many steps that need to happen between now and completion, and there’s always a chance that timelines may be impacted,” said Quinn Konold, communications director for the city. “But the first phase of the project remains on track for a summer 2023 opening.”

Groundbreaking took place in June, 2022, and road restrictions began in August.

“This is going to be an absolutely key and critical project for us as a city as we continue to expand,” then-Mayor Christian Price said during the groundbreaking. “Look, at the end of the day, folks, the growth is coming, it doesn’t matter which way you slice it.

“There’s opportunity here and with Ak-Chin and the City of Maricopa working in partnership, there’s a lot of great things ahead. From tourism and people visiting, to the fact that people love what they find and love what they see when they come here, and so this is one of those major steps that’s been in the works for a very long time.”

The parkway will incorporate stretches of the Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway, giving residents of the south side of the city a more efficient route to I-10.