The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Regional Council has passed a resolution to alleviate the vehicle congestion plaguing US 60 and Loop 303, a notorious bottleneck in the Northwest Valley—$4.2 million from Proposition 400 Freeway Life Cycle Program is set to fund the improvements. According to MAG, this comes in addition to the $4.5 million provided by the Arizona State Legislature in 2023, earmarked for the immediate enhancement of the corridor.
In response to the burgeoning population and resultant traffic congestion, ADOT is already midway through some upgrades, and now with MAG's newly approved funds, the focus will extend to other congested sections and ramps in the area, the results of which will be multiple roadway adjustments tailored to streamline the flow of cars and trucks, notably during peak hours—a much-needed development considering the area's growth and the infrastructure's failure to keep pace with the sudden increase in vehicular load and commuting pressure that the community faces each day.
Surprise Mayor Skip Hall, voicing his support for the approved projects, highlighted significant concerns from residents over the traffic issues on Grand Avenue. "These approved next phase interim improvements will help reduce the delay at both the 163rd intersection and the Loop 303 traffic interchange," Hall told MAG, adding that the Proposition 400 funding serves as a swift response to the public outcry.
The scope of current improvements encompasses the addition of a second right turn lane on eastbound US 60 to the southbound Loop 303 ramp, expansion of southbound SR 303's entrance ramp, the installation of deceleration and acceleration lanes on unsignalized parts of eastbound US 60, and the addition of a fourth lane at the US 60/163rd Avenue intersection in both directions—not to mention the third left turn lane from the southbound Loop 303 off-ramp to westbound US 60, collectively these changes are designed to drastically cut down travel times and improve traffic flow, however MAG is still studying the corridor to identify additional future improvements, which as the population continues to surge, will become increasingly crucial.
While the community awaits the results of the US 60: Loop 303 to State Route 74 study being conducted by MAG for even further improvements, the passage of the aforementioned interim measures marks a constructive step toward resolving a longstanding issue that has tested the patience and schedules of commuters and residents alike.
