(The Center Square) – Arizona’s West Valley drivers could soon see some major changes.
The federal government has allocated $146 million toward redoing Grand Avenue, also known as US 60, as well as the intersections of 35th Avenue and Indian School Road in west Phoenix, which is the intersection also Grand Avenue near the Costco Business Center.
“Grand Avenue is a crucial component of Phoenix’s transportation network, but the current intersection is dangerous and has frequent delays for cars and trains alike,” Sen. Mark Kelly said in a statement.
“These improvements will reduce commute times, improve roadway safety, and better facilitate trade and commerce in the fastest growing part of Arizona. These investments are only possible thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and I’m grateful to the City of Phoenix, the Maricopa Association of Governments, and the Arizona Department of Transportation for their partnership in securing this critical funding award,” Kelly added.
Specifically, the funds would be used to have an “elevated intersection” to place Indian School Road over Grand Ave, place “new bridges over the BNSF railroad” on the street, and other public transportation accommodations.
The taxpayer funding stems from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as its had millions in spending announced in Arizona on a wide variety of projects. According to a news release, the act provided $176 million for the state’s “public transportation” efforts.
It was the result of the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grant Program and the Mega Grant Program, both from the United States Department of Transportation.
“More than 140,000 vehicles pass through this intersection area each day, creating safety and congestion issues,” Arizona Department of Transportation Director Jennifer Toth said in a statement. “Traffic volumes on this corridor have increased nearly 20 percent over the last decade and are projected to increase even more in the future. Congestion and delays in the intersection impact not only vehicle and freight movement, but also affect transit and school bus service and delay emergency responders,” she said.
Grand Avenue is a major hub for commuters going between central Phoenix and the West Valley, such as Glendale and Peoria. Notably, the route deviates from Phoenix’s famed “grid system” as it is a large diagonal that cuts across from downtown Phoenix all the way up to Wickenburg in far west Maricopa County.
Overall, the effort is expected to cost over $356 million, and a news release from the Maricopa County Association of Governments stated the remaining money will come from Proposition 400 sales tax revenue.
