Some of Maricopa’s top leaders took their priorities to Capitol Hill last week, meeting with federal lawmakers to advocate for the city’s needs.

Councilmember Henry Wade told InMaricopa the trip to Washington, D.C., was one of the most productive in recent years, with a packed schedule focused on State Route 347 and other key issues.

“The trip was fantastic. It was record-breaking because we had 10 sessions over there,” Wade said. “The last time this ever happened was when Mayor [Christian] Price was in office and we were trying to get support for the SR 347 overpass. At the time, we talked with nine different legislators.”

He was joined by Councilmember Eric Goettl and Intergovernmental Affairs Director Katy Proctor. Mayor Nancy Smith was absent due to illness.

Like last year, the group met with members of Arizona’s Congressional delegation — including Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ-02), Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) — to discuss progress on widening SR 347 and highlight community involvement in the project.

“I told them, ‘If you spoke to someone, sent a letter, answered a letter [about SR 347], we appreciate it.’ Thank you for that because it made a difference for us,” Wade said. “It made the legislators happy to have been a part of any of it.”

Crane also acknowledged the meeting on social media, saying he had “a chance to catch up with some of the leadership from the City of Maricopa” during the visit.

“Great progress is being made on the SR 347 Widening Project, which is scheduled to begin this summer,” Crane wrote.

Beyond transportation, the delegation also advocated for additional public safety resources, including funding for city ambulances and equipment for a future hazardous materials response team.

“The hazmat vehicle would service our community and communities around us, allowing us to respond as quickly as possible in case of an emergency,” Wade said. “That was something the community was hoping for, and we’re delivering.”

The group further coordinated with Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06), Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03), Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ-09) and Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), city spokesperson Monica William said.

“We also talked about the aquifer recharge project and local administration of federally funded transportation projects,” Williams added.

Maricopa officials pose with Sen. Ruben Gallego.

Maricopa officials pose with Rep. Andy Biggs, the leading Republican running for governor of Arizona.

Maricopa officials pose with Rep. Yassamin Ansari.

Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego speak to Maricopa's delegation.

This story has been updated.