Patience, windshields tested as SR 347 construction continues

As more and more Maricopa residents watch their patience tested sitting in construction traffic on SR 347, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel.

According to Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Spokesperson Teresa Welborn, while construction schedules are subject to change for a variety of reasons: weather, equipment breakdowns and accidents, the paving phase of the project is scheduled to be completed Aug. 29.

“There are other phases of the project to be completed; however, I don’t have that schedule yet,” Welborn said.

The roadway improvements that began last month are to be completed in three phases.

Phase one (the rural portion of SR 347) includes the roadway between the Pinal County line and the Maricopa city limits (the northern wall of Rancho El Dorado). The 10-mile stretch, which is supposed to be completed sometime this fall, will include a signal light at Casa Blanca Road. That project comes with a price tag of $5.8 million.

Welborn said work in Maricopa on the southbound overlay phase (scheduled 4 a.m. to 1 p.m.) began this week at the county line on the shoulder section. When that work is done, the northbound overlay phase (scheduled 7 p.m. to 4 a.m.) will begin on the shoulder section. Welborn said this work is scheduled to be completed in 12 to 15 days.

“Specific locations for each day are more difficult to determine, but the contractor has stated that their goal is approximately one mile per day,” Welborn said.

The final phase, the repaving of Riggs Road to Queen Creek Road at I-10, is as yet unscheduled although it will go to bid in fiscal year 2008.

According to Welborn, the majority of Maricopa residents who have contacted ADOT have had questions regarding the project schedule. She added that motorists with questions can call (602) 712-7355.

City of Maricopa Public Affairs Manager Jennifer Grentz said a few citizens have vented their frustrations with the project. Most residents, though, want information in regard to timelines.

“After speaking with the project manager, they are on schedule with the in-city portion of the project,” Grentz commented. “They did lose the night (Wednesday) due to the accident at Riggs Road when their workers could not get into town.” Grentz added city officials have had conversations with the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) in regard to transportation issues.

A number of Maricopa residents have asked whether they could legally use reservation lands to make their commute in the event of construction headaches or accidents. The general consensus is that drivers will be fined and have their vehicles impounded if caught on those lands.

In the meantime the prognosis for a long-term solution to local driving headaches does not appear to be happening soon.

Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Transportation Director Eric Anderson told inmaricopa.com The Magazine via email for a September/October interview that remedies are being sought.

“We are working with ADOT and the GRIC on I-10 widening,” Anderson said. “We have funding in place to widen I-10 from the Santan Freeway south to the county line. SR 347 will continue to be the primary link to Maricopa County. Longer term, we think a connection west of the City of Maricopa north into Maricopa County makes sense – but funding still needs to be identified. Transit service from Maricopa into the Phoenix area is also an important short-term alternative.”

SR 347 was widened from two to four lanes 15 years ago, in 1992.

While the search goes on for ways to find funds to improve the area transportation system, one local businessman is finding that the recent construction means he will continue to be busy.

Mike Chance of Maricopa’s Impact Windshield said business has increased with chipped windshields since construction began.

“We’ve had a lot of people complain about it,” Chance said. “There was an increase in business a couple of days after the construction started.”

Chance said most of the damage has been nothing out of the ordinary with the majority of the damage being to front windshields. “I’ve seen some damage to side windows, but it is mostly to the front.”

The majority of motorists will contact their insurance companies when their cars are damaged in order to seek recourse. “Most of that (damage) is going to be considered a road hazard,” Chance said.

Asked if drivers may try to seek recourse from ADOT, Chance said there is nothing to stop people from trying; however, people get hit on SR 347 when there is not construction. He noted the chances of winning that kind of argument are very slim.”Someone could have damaged their windshield a year ago and then try and blame ADOT during the current construction,” Chance added.

Chance said where the break is in the windshield and the size determines how quickly it should or shouldn’t be fixed. He added that if a driver has a break in their windshield and they get pulled over for a driving offense, they generally get a repair order, but it is unusual for them to get a ticket for it. “It is not uncommon for people to get repair orders for that sort of thing,” Chance said.

Asked for any advice for drivers using the highway, Chance said the rule of thumb is to keep a few car lengths behind the car in front of you.

“You’re pretty much at the mercy of fate,” Chance added. “It’s a crap shoot; it’s like going to Vegas.”

Editor’s note: For more of Eric Anderson’s comments, see the September/October issue of inmaricopa.com The Magazine available the first week of September.

Photo by Dave Thomas