Proposed Val Vista Parkway would connect Maricopa, Casa Grande and Coolidge

The city of Maricopa, Pinal County and the city of Casa Grande are spending a combined $1 million to study the possible construction of a 30-mile-long parkway connecting the communities of Maricopa, Casa Grande and Coolidge.

Maricopa’s council at its last meeting in December approved the expenditure of $333,333 to fund the city’s portion of the agreement.

The county and Casa Grande leaders voted earlier in the month to expend the same amount each to fund the parkway study.

The Val Vista Parkway would originate in the city of Maricopa at Smith-Enke Road and extend east to Signal Peak Road in Coolidge.

Along the way, the route would run on top of the Casa Grande/ Maricopa Highway and Val Vista and McCartney Roads.

“This Parkway is the result of several transportation studies and a concept we felt needed to be moved forward,” said Pinal County Transportation Planner Andy Smith.

The monies approved by the municipalities are scheduled to fund a design concept report that will identify specific design solutions, potential impacts, mitigation alternatives and cost of the project.

“This is a very detailed study we are talking about,” said city of Maricopa Development Services Director Brent Billingsley.

A planning firm will be hired in the next several months according to Billingsley, but the study could take 18 to 24 months to be completed.

“This roadway is part of a bigger picture, connecting to the proposed Interstate 11,” said Maricopa Mayor Anthony Smith. “It will present the communities involved with an opportunity for economic development.”

File photo