Hidden Valley and Thunderbird Farms drivers should prepare for a Ralston Road closure as crews work to make it usable year-round. 

Pinal County Development Services announced it will begin a project to build a culvert and all-weather crossing on that road over the Vekol Wash in Thunderbird Farms beginning July 7.

“It’s a public safety issue,” said Supervisor Rich Vitiello (R-Maricopa) in a government video Tuesday. “We’ve got to make sure that our residents in this area have a safe way to get through this and not get washed out.” 

“Not only are we trying to make this a safer asset for the community, it’s actually going to upgrade all the stuff, the water line, everything, to be a better product for the future,” White told InMaricopa Thursday.  

While the 1,000-foot closure of Ralston Road is in effect, residents can take Mockingbird Lane to the north and Jean Drive to the south as detours. Access to the Thunderbird Fire Station and the Thunderbird Rodeo Arena will not be affected, said officials.

Signs at the wash state the project will run from July 7 through July 3, 2026.