South Mtn. Freeway could cost $1.26 billion to build

Corinne Purtill
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 20, 2006 02:45 PM

The proposed South Mountain Freeway could be a pricey proposition.

Construction cost figures unveiled at Thursday night's South Mountain Citizens Advisory Team meeting showed that the freeway could cost from $995 million to $1.26 billion to build, depending on where it goes.

Those figures do not include the cost of land or homes in the freeway's path, or relocation expenses for businesses and residents. Those estimates are expected by month's end, consultant Amy Edwards said.  

The freeway would connect the eastern part of Interstate 10 with the west.

Construction for the freeway's eastern segment - the alignment now proposed along Pecos Road - is estimated at $478 million. The portion connecting to Interstate 10 in the west could cost $598 million if built at 55th Avenue. At 71st Avenue, it could cost $517 million. A connection at Loop 101 would run the state $784 million to $849 million, depending on how it is configured.

Those numbers are for a six-lane road built at or above ground level, Edwards said. A depressed freeway could cost even more.