Maricopa residents are invited to meet with city officials regarding a proposed sales tax that could fund the widening of State Route 347, a transportation project in the city. According to a report from the City of Maricopa, open houses will be held on Saturday, April 19, and Tuesday, April 22, where attendees can ask questions, view project maps, and speak with city staff before the proposal goes before the City Council for a vote on May 6.
The initiative follows previous attempts to secure funding for the SR 347 project, which were unsuccessful despite voter approval. To address growing traffic issues and rising construction costs, the city plans to implement a local sales tax. This measure could provide the matching funds necessary to move the project forward. As City Manager Benjamin Bitter put it in a statement obtained by the City of Maricopa's news release, "This is our chance to take control of our future and show ADOT that Maricopa is ready to invest in its own infrastructure."
The first open house saw a strong turnout at the Maricopa Community Center, reflecting community interest in addressing the SR 347 issues. The city is working to find a local solution to the regional challenge, particularly as the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has not included the project in its immediate construction plans due to budget constraints.
Previous attempts to secure funding for SR 347 improvements have had mixed results. Proposition 417, passed in 2017, allocated $28.8 million for the route but was overturned by the Arizona Supreme Court. Last year, Proposition 469, which received 63% support from Maricopa voters and proposed $12 million for the project, was not approved at the county level. City leaders are now pursuing a new proposal, acknowledging that the lack of alternative funding sources has contributed to ongoing traffic issues and rising costs for the SR 347 project. More information about the open houses and the proposal can be found at the City of Maricopa's website.
