As a city councilmember and small business owner in Maricopa, I continue to urge the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to prioritize the expansion of State Route 347 (SR 347) in its FY 2026–2030 Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program.

This road is a lifeline for our community, but it poses significant safety and economic growth challenges.

As fellow residents of Maricopa I need your help.

The Urgent Need for Expansion

SR 347 is the primary route for our residents, businesses, and emergency services. Originally constructed as a two-lane highway, it now accommodates an average of over 58,000 vehicles daily. Frequent congestion and a troubling number of accidents, with many serious injury crashes, are reasons to act!

Progress and Community Support

Recognizing the critical nature of this issue, Pinal County supervisors, led by Maricopa’s own Rich Vitiello, have pledged $20 million toward the SR 347 widening project. Maricopa County voters approved Proposition 479 in 2024, a half-cent sales tax extension that allocates funds for transportation projects, including the northern segment of SR 347 from I-10 to Riggs Road, by providing about $90,000,000. The residents of Maricopa are ponying up $30,000,000, and we need ADOT to step in and do what is right!

Strategic Planning and Design

ADOT has initiated several projects along the SR 347 corridor, such as the Riggs Road Traffic Interchange, which is in the final design stage and aims to separate SR 347 from Riggs Road traffic via a new bridge. Intersection improvements at Casa Blanca Road and Mammoth Way are also needed, and state funding is being sought. These projects are steps in the right direction, but a comprehensive widening of SR 347 to six lanes, three in each direction, is needed to address long-term needs.

Call to Action

Including the SR 347 widening project in ADOT’s Five-Year Program is not just a matter of infrastructure; it’s about ensuring the safety and prosperity of my residents. I encourage everyone to voice their support by submitting comments through ADOT’s public comment form before the May 23, 2025, deadline: ADOT Public Comment Form.

By uniting our voices, we can advocate for the necessary improvements to SR 347, ensuring a safer, more efficient transportation corridor that supports Maricopa’s growth and enhances the quality of life for all residents.

This is a letter to the editor. Vincent Manfredi is a Maricopa City Council member and owner of InMaricopa.