A proposed Interstate 11 corridor that would pass through Hidden Valley and along Maricopa’s western edge moved a step forward this month as Arizona lawmakers approved a bill aimed at advancing the long-delayed project.
The Arizona House of Representatives passed House Bill 2601, directing the Arizona Department of Transportation to continue work on a key segment of the proposed highway between Interstate 10 near Casa Grande and Wickenburg.
That stretch includes the portion long eyed to run just west of Maricopa, cutting through farmland south of the city and continuing north through Hidden Valley before linking toward the West Valley.
The bill requires ADOT to request federal segmentation of that portion of the project and complete environmental reviews and approvals. Once federal approval is granted, the agency must begin the next phase of environmental and engineering study within three months.
The move keeps momentum alive for a project that has remained largely in planning for more than a decade.
In 2024, Pima County supervisors unanimously opposed a southern segment of the corridor through Avra Valley over environmental concerns. But the western Pinal County route, including the stretch near Maricopa, remained under consideration.
Maricopa city officials said in January that Interstate 11 could begin moving forward despite ongoing litigation and said it could eventually give residents faster access to the West Valley while serving as a truck bypass route around I-10.
The same House Republican press release also pointed to other transportation priorities the caucus says it supports, widening State Route 347 in Pinal County.
If ultimately built, Interstate 11 is intended to serve as a north-south corridor linking Nogales, Tucson, Phoenix and Las Vegas, with long-term value for regional connectivity, freight movement and economic activity.
The bill now heads to the Senate.
![A mother assists her child in riding a tricycle on an obstacle course at Maricopa Police Department's inaugural bicycle rodeo on April 24, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]](https://inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260424-spencer-bicycle-rodeo-web-05-300x200.jpg)
![Sheriff Ross Teeple speaks during a City of Maricopa Republican Club meeting at Calvary Chapel on May 23, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]](https://inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260529-spencer-teeple-republican-club-1-1-300x200.jpg)
![A mother assists her child in riding a tricycle on an obstacle course at Maricopa Police Department's inaugural bicycle rodeo on April 24, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]](https://inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260424-spencer-bicycle-rodeo-web-05-150x150.jpg)
12 Responses
“Will I walk the long road? Cannot stay…
There’s no need to say goodbye…”
Anyway, yeah, build that shit out, yo
That route is so wasteful, as soon as it hits I10 go to HWY 85 then to I 8. Why have three Interstates running parallel?
Exactly! I don’t see how this benefits HV or Copa at all.
This will not benefit the city of Maricopa. There is already hiway right of way on I8 and 85. Why spend our tax money on destroying homes and farms.
I so agree Sharon but it really doesn’t matter what the taxpayer thinks.
Apartments coming soon to Hidden Valley!
Nope. We beat that through the county process.
The people voting yes on this poll obviously do not live in Hidden Valley and their homes are not in the way to be bull dozed. They need to sit down and allow the actual residents of HV to have a say so. Your economic prosperity in the City of Maricopa is not as important as OUR homes, homesteads, ranchettes and ranches. Put i-11 through the City of Maricopa and let’s see how they react when their homes are in the way. NO to I-11 coming through our homes.
Build Baby Build
Is it just me or does it seem like they purposely made this illustration look like I-10 goes right to Maricopa? Is that so they can also make it look like this I11 route could benefit Maricopa? Because on ADOT’s site its very clearly not even close to Maricopa.
I personally do not see how this will decrease traffic on the 347. It will pass WAY west on the 238, and way south and at a sharp angle. If anything, it might increase traffic from east Phoenix wanting to jump on off the 238. Hwy’s 85 and 8 already exist and only need to be widened. Gila Bend has the buisnesses to support this and AN INTERCHANGE already.
It’s design only has one purpose, to divert the south driving semis going to Mexico from Wickenberg off the 10. They are going to destroy the habitats of the desert creatures that live in the Haley Hills, Sonoran Desert Monumnet and travel that wildlife corridor. And that area is well know for significant petrogliphs. Not to mention this is the heart of Hidden Valley, and it will be split in two by this highway that isn’t economically feasible. They must change routes back to the 85 and the 8!
Here is the answer from AI when asked about traffic iimpact:
Will the I-11 lesson traffic on the SR-347?
No, if anything, it may increase traffic.
– I-11 is too far west to replace or relieve SR-347
– It mainly helps regional freight + long-distance travel
– It will likely increase development near Maricopa. That means equal or worse congestion on 347 over time
(well isn’t that last point interesting??? Does it make you wonder just who is pushing this interstate?)