The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is bringing a significant change to the commute in the Maricopa area. As seen in designs released by the department, a new bridge slated to carry State Route 347 over Riggs Road, will replace the current at-grade intersection to form a diamond interchange. This enhancement is focused on increasing safety and reducing the often-tiresome congestion, with aim to improve commutes in the bustling region.

Construction, expected to get underway by early 2026, is in response to the need for a freer flow of traffic on SR 347, as detailed by the Arizona Department of Transportation. Upon completion, drivers will find new on- and off-ramps linking them to Riggs Road, designed to streamline their navigation and potentially cut down on travel times. ADOT, as part of their collaborations with local tribes and government entities, illustrated how the new interchange might look upon completion, projecting a more fluid interchange between these two important roadways.

ADOT has planned this project in partnership with the Gila River Indian Community and the Maricopa Association of Governments, coordinating with the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs to ensure a coherent plan for the development. Improvements won't stop at the bridge, with additional turn lanes being set to be built on Riggs Road to allow for more efficient access to SR 347. 

Further details about this transition to a new phase in Arizona's roadway infrastructure can be gleaned from the ADOT announcement. Interested parties are encouraged to visit azdot.gov/SR347 to learn more about the SR 347 and Riggs Road interchange project and other improvements planned for the area.