Project: Passing Lane, Milepost 20-22
Schedule: Construction began in late 2009 and is scheduled for completion by summer 2010.

• Project summary: Construct a passing lane from Milepost 20-22 (approximately 2 miles west of Lake Pleasant Parkway).

Project: Passing Lane, Milepost 13-15
Schedule: Construction is expected to begin in late summer 2010 and be completed in spring 2011.

• Project summary: Construct a passing lane from Milepost 13-15 (just east of 171st/Cotton Lane).

Acquisition of right of way to accommodate the potential future widening of SR 74 and traffic interchange locations between US 60 and Lake Pleasant Parkway (Milepost 0-22) has been deferred to Phase V (2026-2031) of the Regional Transportation Plan.

The RTP was originally divided into four phases, based on forecasts of when the funding was anticipated to be available for those improvements. Responding to federal transportation planning requirements, the RTP is being extended through 2031 by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) to maintain a 20-year planning horizon. As a result, a fifth phase has been added to the RTP, covering the period from 2026 through 2031. Consistent with federal planning guidelines, funding for transportation projects is based on revenue sources that are considered to be reasonably available for the planning period. According to MAG, this assumes that for planning purposes funding sources with a long history of providing funding in the past will continue into the future. 

In fall 2009, due to declining sales tax revenues and decreases in other transportation revenue sources to fund improvements, MAG recommended that some future projects be deferred to Phase V of the plan. As part of the planning process, project costs and funding levels are continuously monitored, and the RTP is periodically updated to take advantage of cost savings or changes in the transportation revenue outlook. According to MAG planners, this can result in the acceleration of projects that were formerly deferred. For more information about RTP projects deferred to Phase V in the MAG tentative scenario, please visit the MAG Web site.

Our Valley Freeway System is part of the 2004 voter-approved Regional Transportation Plan. We are working hard with our transit partners to implement the voters’ vision and are committed to quality, safety, open communication with our neighbors, and minimal inconvenience to the traveling public.