SR 347, 238 funding bill breezes through House, headed to Senate

The Arizona House of Representatives unanimously passed a funding bill Wednesday to widen two state highways that are key entry points into Maricopa.

HB 2063, a transportation funding bill, would appropriate $6 million to widen State Route 347. It also would provide the city $13 million to be used for both SR 347 and SR 238. The bill is now headed to the Senate for review.

“I am thrilled,” said Dist. 16 Rep. Teresa Martinez, who represents Maricopa and is co-sponsor of the bill. “This literally gives the city of Maricopa the flexibility to create the best results for their citizens.”

This is part of a months-long journey for Martinez in helping Maricopa gain access to funds that would alleviate transportation issues in and out of the city.

Previously, the entire $19 million was allocated in 2022 in SR 347-only improvements.

However, when Martinez introduced the bill in January, the allocated amount was shifted in a way that the city could also use a portion toward SR 238.

The Maricopa City Council annexed two small parcels on Tuesday night that encapsulate SR 238 that give it control of the highway within city limits.

Martinez expressed her excitement over Dist. 16 state Sen. T.J. Shope pushing the bill through the higher chamber.

Shope is president pro tempore of the Senate, Martinez the Majority Whip of the House.

“He and I have worked arm in arm in this,” Martinez said. “He co-sponsored the bill in the House and now he’s going to advocate it in the Senate to help get it across.”