Home development has been booming along Papago Road in Hidden Valley, bringing with it a familiar side effect: more cars. The fast-developing rural community is now facing a paradox that the city of Maricopa has experienced throughout its short history.

Traffic is light enough that a stoplight isn’t justified, yet if officials wait for congestion to reach that level, it will be too late to prevent serious backups once all the new homes are occupied.

Traffic remains the most discussed issue in and around Maricopa, with State Route 347 serving as a cautionary tale of what can happen when growth outpaces infrastructure. Officials in Hidden Valley say they’re trying to get ahead of the problem, but with so many new homes coming, they aren’t yet sure how to prevent a similar traffic nightmare.

Currently, Papago Road’s intersection with State Route 347 is a one-way stop, where eastbound traffic must stop to turn left or right onto the highway. In the last week, a dashed yellow left-turn guiding line was painted at the intersection, and potholes inside the intersection were filled, improving safety and drivability for now. 

But that setup won’t be sufficient in the near future, according to County Supervisor Rich Vitiello (R-Maricopa).

“The bottom line is that the traffic is becoming worse and worse,” Vitiello said.   

The concern is already tangible. On Aug. 5, a two-vehicle crash at the intersection sent two people to the hospital and temporarily closed southbound lanes of SR 347. Authorities said a commuter sedan turning onto the highway from Papago failed to yield to oncoming traffic and collided with a minivan. Both vehicles sustained major front-end damage, and emergency responders had to redirect traffic while clearing the scene, showing how quickly accidents can occur even before traffic volumes rise.

And they’re rising.

Three new developments have already broken ground and are beginning to house residents: Amarillo Creek will eventually have 600 homes, Venida will include 544 and Palomino Ranch will bring 634.

“We could probably get away with it for another year, but when they’re done with all of those houses in the next year … as those three developments continue growing, we’re going to need a light there,” Vitiello said.

On top of those projects, another 10 developments in the Hidden Valley area — some approved as far back as 2003 — could bring tens of thousands of additional homes.

“If we don’t start thinking of this stuff now, it could be thirty, forty, fifty thousand homes out there … thirty, forty, fifty thousand cars coming up the 347,” Vitiello said. “That’s insane.”

Even with all those homes planned, traffic lights aren’t justified yet.

“Right now, the traffic study would show it’s not heavy,” Vitiello said. The cost of the light is estimated at just above $2 million.

“That’s going to be a tough one. We just got the northern section of 347 on the five-year plan,” Vitiello said. “So, to get another $2 million right now … I’m seeing if there’s something we can do with the county, with the state.” 

Vitiello has been coordinating with state leaders, including State Rep. Teresa Martinez (R-Casa Grande), to work with the Arizona Department of Transportation on this and other rural projects along SR 347.

“As for timeframe it would depend on ADOT,” Martinez told InMaricopa. “I can’t see it taking longer than a year.” 

Vitiello remains less certain.

“If I got the approval today, it’s still taking about a year. It could be a year or so, we don’t know,” he said.

InMaricopa contacted ADOT for comment on the project timeline but did not receive a response by publication time.

Other road projects in unincorporated areas south of Maricopa include the ongoing construction of a Ralston Road crossing at Vekol Wash and early discussions about needed improvements on SR 347 at Clayton Road, including a complete repaving.

Elias Weiss contributed.