|
Loop 303 is an important component of the Regional Transportation Plan – a blueprint for Valleywide transportation improvements in Maricopa County for the next 20 years. The plan was spearheaded by the Maricopa Association of Governments through an extensive public process to identify regional transportation. Funding for transportation improvements included in the RTP is provided by a regional half-cent sales tax, which was approved by voters in 2004 and became effective in January 2006.
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.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is charged with implementing the highway component of the Regional Transportation Plan, which includes $9 billion in new freeways, freeway improvements and maintenance.
Long-range plans call for the Loop 303 freeway to traverse more than 40 miles of the West Valley – ultimately extending from the proposed State Route 801 (the future I-10 reliever freeway) a few miles south of Interstate 10 in Goodyear to Interstate 17 (Black Canyon Freeway) near Lone Mountain Road, 2 miles south of State Route 74 (Carefree Highway) in Phoenix.
Currently, Loop 303 extends for more than 21 miles from Interstate 10 in Goodyear to Happy Valley Parkway in Peoria, operating primarily as a two-lane roadway from I-10 to US 60 (Grand Avenue), and becoming a four-lane divided highway from US 60 to Happy Valley Parkway.
The Regional Transportation Plan currently identifies funding for Loop 303 to construct three general purpose lanes in each direction between I-10 and US 60 (Grand Avenue) by 2015, an interim four-lane project to connect the northern section of Loop 303 to I-17 in 2012 and to expand the interim four-lane segment of Loop 303 between US 60 (Grand Avenue) and I-17 to six lanes, beginning in Phase III (2016-2020).
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 later phases of the RTP.
As a result, the expansion of Loop 303 to six lanes between US 60 and I-17 was deferred from Phase II (2011-2015) to Phase III (2016-2020) and Phase IV (2021-2025) of the RTP. In addition, the construction of the proposed new segment of Loop 303 south of I-10 to SR 801 has been deferred to Phase V (2026-2031).
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. |
|
