By Daniel Stefanksi |
A freshman legislator is continuing to work toward transportation improvements for an Arizona freeway.
This week, Arizona State Representative Matt Gress sent a letter to the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), addressing the extension of Proposition 400 and the necessity of using those allotted dollars for SR 51. He highlights the “crucial” need for Arizona’s freeways to “be among the best in the country” due to “Maricopa County being the fastest growing county in the country and Phoenix and Scottsdale among the fastest growing cities.”
In his letter, Gress notes that “SR 51 has become one of the busiest routes in the state highway system” and that “the pavement between the I-10 ministack and Shea Boulevard is well past its expected life.” According to the letter, the area of freeway described by the legislator “was installed back in 2004 making (that) pavement one of the oldest in the county.”
Representative Gress writes, “In July the Legislature approved legislation to enable Maricopa County to call an election for the extension of Proposition 400 which includes $600 million for the capital rehabilitation of the region’s freeway pavement,” adding that “these funds must be used to ensure our freeways are kept in the best conditions for the people that use them every day to go to work, transport goods, and recreate in our state.”
The lawmaker expressed his hope that MAG expediently takes care of these issues, stating, “I want to ensure your commitment to utilizing these funds to rehabilitate SR 51 in the first phase of MAG’s plan consistent with Proposition 400 monies if approved by the voters.”
Arizona legislators and the state’s governor reached an agreement on Prop 400 at the end of their marathon session in July. After the passage of the proposal out of his chamber, Senate President Warren Petersen said, “The guardrails, taxpayer protections and funding allocations in the text of this bill reflect the priorities of voters, to reinvest their tax dollars in the transportation modes they use most.” Governor Hobbs added, “Today, bipartisan leaders invested in the future of Arizona families, businesses, and communities.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
