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In
November 2004, Maricopa County voters approved a 20-year
extension of a half-cent sales tax until December 31,
2025, to fund a comprehensive package of transportation
improvements as part of the Regional
Transportation Plan. Funding for the plan, which includes
$9 billion in regional freeway improvements in Maricopa
County, became effective January 1, 2006.
The Maricopa County portion of SR 802 Williams Gateway
Freeway (study, design, and eventual construction) is
included in the Regional Transportation Plan for Maricopa
County and therefore will be funded by the voter approved
half-cent sales tax. The portion within Pinal County is
currently not funded for construction.
Freeway
planning to determine potential future corridors and freeway
improvements is conducted well in advance of design and
construction. Area population growth, future land use,
jurisdictional responsibilities, and other factors are
used to determine the need, feasibility and general location
of future freeway improvements.
In March 2006, Maricopa Association of Governments completed
the Williams Gateway Freeway Alignment and Environmental
Overview Study for the Maricopa
County portion of the study area. The study purpose
was to identify a preferred alignment for the Maricopa
County portion of the planned freeway and to develop detailed
information regarding facility characteristics, right-of-way
needs, environmental issues, and environmental justice
concerns under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
This information was intended to provide essential input
for subsequent ADOT required corridor engineering, environmental,
and design studies.
Concurrently, ADOT completed a Williams
Gateway Corridor Definition Study for the Pinal County
portion of the study area and incorporated the MAG Framework
Study. The study identified the general location of a
potential future roadway that would extend the SR 802
(Williams Gateway Freeway) into Pinal County. In February
2006, the State Transportation Board adopted the corridor
into the MoveAZ Arizona Long Range Transportation Plan.
However, the current ADOT studies will evaluate all reasonable
and feasible alternatives in accordance with federal guidelines.
The
study stage identifies alternative locations (alignments)
and basic characteristics (number of lanes, type of traffic
interchange, etc.) of a roadway. Accompanying this are
environmental studies (economic impacts, cultural, hazardous
materials, air, invasive species, endangered species,
socieconomics and water), evaluation of the alternatives,
general cost estimates, coordination with public and private
stakeholders, and the determination of the feasibility
project to move to the design phase.
Successful completion of the study processes results in
the selection of an alternative and environmental clearances
that allow ADOT to move on to detailed design and construction.
Project
information is shared and discussed with the public at
project milestones, and public input is considered in
the evaluation of alternatives.
The
Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA), as joint lead agencies,
are initiating a Location/Design Concept Reports (L/DCR)
and Environmental Study for the proposed SR 802 (Williams
Gateway Freeway) in Maricopa and Pinal Counties.
More on Current Studies . . .
The
design of a roadway involves several stages of detailed engineering
and technical review and interim levels of approval. The final
design of the roadway is represented in plans and specifications
that construction contractors use to prepare construction
bids.
Road
construction for projects is based on detailed plans and specifications
provided to the contractor following the approved design.
As the construction process advances, changes may occur that
are influenced by a variety of factors. ADOT continually looks
for ways to improve the construction process for maximum efficiency
and minimal community impact. Once built, a roadway will be
maintained and improved over time as a result of future growth
and transportation needs.
ADOT
continually plans for enhancements to the roadway once it
is built and in use for maximum efficiency and safety. Various
studies identify these enhancements and may influence additional
planning, design and construction. Studies for State Route
802 (Williams Gateway Freeway) are on the Current
Studies page.
State
Route 802
(Williams Gateway Freeway) |
Construction timing for the SR 802 (Williams Gateway
Freeway) is dependent upon the outcome of the planning
and design studies. However, according to the Regional
Transportation Plan, construction funding for the Maricopa
County portion of the Williams Gateway Freeway is programmed
to occur in the 2016-2020 timeframe.
Construction
of the Pinal County portion of the SR 802 (Williams
Gateway Freeway) is not currently funded.
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The
SR 802 (Williams Gateway Freeway) Location/Design Concept
Reports and Environmental Study are funded with the half-cent
sales tax under the voter-approved Proposition 400 (Maricopa
County portion) and ADOT Statewide funding (Pinal County portion).
Construction for the Maricopa County portion is currently
funded through the regional tax. No funding has been identified
for the purchase of right-of-way or for construction of new
highways in Pinal County.
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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. |
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