To the editor,

As you may know, the planned enhancements on SR347 include replacing the traffic lights at Riggs Road and Cement Plant with grade separations (i.e., overpass or underpass). However, the plan does NOT include getting rid of the light at Casa Blanca. That light will remain after all the work is done on SR347.  

In 2025, ADOT reported 54 accidents at Casa Blanca. For context, the three worst intersections in Maricopa are John Wayne Parkway at Smith-Enke, Honeycutt, and Edison. Combined, they had fewer accidents than Casa Blanca alone. Additionally, 18% of accidents at those Maricopa intersections resulted in injuries, with no fatalities. At Casa Blanca, 31% resulted in injuries, including fatalities. 81% of accidents at Casa Blanca were rear-end collisions.

Recently, there’s been considerable discussion about public safety. I fully support our first responders and timely emergency response, but let me offer an old adage: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Preventing these accidents in the first place is the best way to protect our residents.

I believe no other location poses a greater safety concern to Maricopa residents than the SR347/Casa Blanca intersection. A traffic light in the middle of the open desert on a busy road with a 65-mile-per-hour speed limit is a poor design. Imagine a stoplight on I-10. That’s essentially what we have.

The proposed Green Loop roadway could make this problem worse. The explosion of housing to our south, combined with additional traffic from SR238, will funnel more vehicles onto SR347—then, BOOM, they hit the traffic light at Casa Blanca. This could significantly increase accidents, particularly during morning rush hour.

The proposed Green Loop roadway has a flyover that merges into SR347 just north of the city. If we instead extend Green Loop past that merge to Casa Blanca and then build a grade-separated intersection. This would allow smooth entry and exit while eliminating the traffic light. Two birds with one stone!

Many people have asked why I’m so passionate about this. Last year, my son was in an accident here. At 11:30 in the morning, stopped at the light, on a clear, sunny day, he was rear-ended.  Three vehicles involved in the accident were totaled, including ours. I don’t want another parent to experience what our family went through. Trust me, it’s the last thing any parent wants. It’s just that simple.

Maricopa already has $134.3 million budgeted for Green Loop. This change can be incorporated into this project. I recognize there are significant challenges beyond budgetary ones, but I’m confident they can be resolved.

We need to immediately start developing a plan and budget to eliminate the traffic light at Casa Blanca.  I believe residents want to have a safe. uninterrupted drive experience from the north end of Maricopa all the way to I-10.  Getting rid of the light can reduce accidents and make the ride a pleasurable experience. Let City Council know you want the light gone!

Thank you.

Ron Angerame
Glennwilde resident