Public meeting for SR347 overpass project Thursday

A public meeting concerning the possible construction of an overpass on State Route 347 will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Maricopa Unified School District administrative offices, 44150 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway.

The grade-separation project centers around the intersection of State Route 347 and the Union Pacific Railroad train tracks that run parallel to Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway. 

The Arizona Department of Transportation is working with the city and the Federal Highway Administration to conduct a study that examines various options to improve traffic flows at the intersection through 2040. 

ADOT held a public meeting with Maricopa residents last July to learn of any issues needed to be addressed for the engineering, planning and environmental studies of the project. It was the first step in the completion of a Design Concept Report and Environmental Study.

At Thursday’s meeting, residents will learn of different alternatives for the grade separation project. They will be able to ask questions and provide input on the alternatives. 

ADOT spokesman Dustin Krugal said cost estimates for the project have not been nailed down yet, but it could be “upwards of over $50 million.”