Manfredi: SR 347 moved from years of discussion into construction

By InMaricopa Staff
Sep 7, 2026

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Maricopa residents have heard promises about State Route 347 for years.

Today, the widening is funded, and some construction is underway.

That is a major step forward. It did not happen because of one meeting, one vote, or one elected official.

My work on SR 347 began during my first term. Starting in 2016, I served on the Pinal Regional Transportation Authority or as its alternate. I later joined the Rural Transportation Advocacy Council’s executive board. I also represented Maricopa through Central Arizona Governments and MAG’s Transportation Policy Committee.

Those assignments mattered because SR 347 crosses several jurisdictions. The project involves two counties, the Gila River Indian Community, regional planning agencies, ADOT, the State Transportation Board, state lawmakers, and federal partners.

No city councilmember can direct those organizations alone. My job was to keep Maricopa at the table, continue to push the project forward, and help build a funding plan that everyone could support.

For years, litigation and unsuccessful ballot measures delayed Pinal County’s transportation plans. Eventually, Maricopa faced a choice. We could keep waiting for a countywide solution, or we could create a local funding source to help move the widening forward.

In 2025, the City Council approved local transportation funding and entered into an agreement with ADOT.

That commitment helped bring the remaining pieces together. Pinal County contributed funding. MAG helped align funding for the Maricopa County portion. ADOT combined related improvements into one construction project. The State Transportation Board then placed the widening in its funded five-year program.

Construction began in June 2026.

ADOT’s project covers about 14 miles between Maricopa and Interstate 10. It adds one lane in each direction and rehabilitates the existing pavement. The project also includes interchanges at Riggs Road and Mammoth Way, a median barrier, and several intersection improvements.

ADOT currently expects to complete the project in late 2029.

I am proud of the role I played over many years. I represented Maricopa in regional meetings, advocated for the widening, supported our local funding commitment, and worked to keep everything moving.

However, this remains a team achievement. My fellow councilmembers, city staff, county supervisors, tribal leaders, regional planners, legislators, ADOT officials, and residents all played a role. Perhaps the greatest achievement we had as council was with the help selecting Katy Proctor as our intergov, and her hard work on the project. She hates public praise, but it so well deserved in her case.

Now, we have to remember, the start of construction does not mean our work is finished. The fight to protect the funding already committed and secure anything else needed continues. We must also monitor traffic impacts, construction schedules, safety concerns, and each phase of the project.

At the same time, we need to keep advancing alternate routes so Maricopa is not dependent on one roadway.

For years, residents asked when the promises would finally turn into construction. That is happening now.

Our responsibility is to keep the project moving and ensure Maricopa has a strong voice through the final mile. Until SR 347 is 100% complete, I will not rest.