Big changes are coming to the intersection of State Route 87 and Skousen Road in Coolidge, as the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) kicks off a project aimed to enhance both safety and traffic flow. This intersection, a mere mile from the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, will see a significant makeover with the addition of a traffic signal and better lighting to brighten up the drive.
The upgrade will include a bevy of new lanes: a right-turn lane on SR 87 west of Skousen Road is in the works, and drivers will soon notice new left-turn lanes sprouting up on Skousen Road itself, preparing for turns onto SR 87, marking a substantial enhancement to the current setup. During the renovation, temporary traffic signals will take the helm to keep cars moving, although drivers should brace for the expected one open lane in each direction during the construction buzz.
With crews set to work from the early bird hour of 6 a.m. until the evening wrap at 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, those commuting through the zone should earmark extra minutes for the inevitable slowdowns. According to ADOT, the entire project is slated to reach completion in early 2025, promising a smoother sailing for Coolidge motorists down the road.
For those thirsting for more knowledge or to parse the nitty-gritty details of this construction affair, point your browser to ADOT 's project page. The patience of the public will be tried, the reward seemingly as distant as the horizon, but when the dust settles and the last cone is cleared, the expectation is a junction that ushers through the cross-traffic with something resembling ease—a welcome end to the daily gamble at a crossroads in the heart of Arizona's vast, sun-burnt landscape.
