202 Alignment - Any Thoughts? (Phoenix, Avondale: new home, neighborhoods, construction)

[ptbrennan]

In case you aren't aware, the alignment of the 202 SoMo Fwy has proven quite contentious in Laveen and Ahwatukee. Granted, it was planned 20 years ago - long before the new homes were built - but it's back on the drawing boards.

Here's the ADOT site: Loop 202 (South Mountain Freeway) ~ Background

What do you think about this debate?

[ibarrio]

It needs to be done. Along with the 303 plans.

[ptbrennan]

Agreed. As a Laveen resident, I feel that it will provide relief on some of our surface streets and economic development opportunities along the proposed corridor. For others in the PHX area, it will provide a bypass for the I-10 traffic passing through.

[skydude24]

Anyone know what the latest news is on this alignment issue?

I have a good friend who lives in one of the homes in ahwatukee which will be potentially knocked down if the 202 goes through.

Thanks in advance!

[ptbrennan]

Originally Posted by skydude24

Anyone know what the latest news is on this alignment issue?

I have a good friend who lives in one of the homes in ahwatukee which will be potentially knocked down if the 202 goes through.

Thanks in advance!

If you click through the pages on the link I provided earlier, you will find quite a bit of information about the ongoing discussion at ADOT and with certain citizen advisory committees. The following response to Ahwatukee Village's May 2007 Meeting provide some good insight: http://www.azdot.gov/Highways/Valley...PCResponse.pdf

You may also want to read the current press: Loop 202 (South Mountain Freeway) ~ Newspaper Articles

From my perspective, it looks as though plans are progressing on the Pecos segment of the freeway and the newly preferred western connection will be placed at 55th Ave and the I-10. According to ADOT's letter, funding has been allocated for 2009 construction.

The last I heard about the community input process was that ADOT has expanded the participation on its advisory board due to a lack of quorum at previous meetings. The next round of meetings should occur in the next few months so that ADOT can announce final plans in March 2008.

[vegaspilgrim]

This proposed "South Mountain" freeway is totally worthless. Why can't Pecos Rd just be extended to 51st ave? If truckers need some kind of Phoenix bypass route, why can't they just use 51st Ave/Beltline Rd or even AZ-85 to Gila Bend and then I-8 over? This whole idea of bulldozing hundreds of homes in Ahwahtukee to build a freeway nobody wants is absurd. Especially when it doesn't even connect to the 101. Instead, why don't they build another east-west freeway parallel to I-10, perhaps connecting to the I-17 truck route south of downtown? And why couldn't Grand Ave be made a full blown freeway-- like it was once planned? The whole thing sounds like a colossal waste of money.

[ptbrennan]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

This proposed "South Mountain" freeway is totally worthless. Why can't Pecos Rd just be extended to 51st ave? If truckers need some kind of Phoenix bypass route, why can't they just use 51st Ave/Beltline Rd or even AZ-85 to Gila Bend and then I-8 over? This whole idea of bulldozing hundreds of homes in Ahwahtukee to build a freeway nobody wants is absurd. Especially when it doesn't even connect to the 101. Instead, why don't they build another east-west freeway parallel to I-10, perhaps connecting to the I-17 truck route south of downtown? And why couldn't Grand Ave be made a full blown freeway-- like it was once planned? The whole thing sounds like a colossal waste of money.

The I-17 to I-10 connection that you mention will be accomplished from the new 202 route, via a connection from the 202 to the 303, based on net traffic flow. If this segment becomes a part of the final plan (as Avondale has requested), the current proposal makes plenty of sense - hence no need to connect directly with the 101. Otherwise, the area east of the 101/I-10 connection would become as bad as the Broadway curve.

[Magnum Mike]

202 Alignment.. Does the freeway also need an oil change, tire rotation, radiator flush, and a lube?

Sorry - Seriously, it looks good and I'm glad ADOT had the foresight and they planned the South Mountain portion of it way ahead of time before the area gets overbuilt with sub-divisions.

[twiggy]

People want it easy. Freeways are quick and efficient for carrying Phoenix's massive growth. My neighborhoods home values went down with our new freeway in our backyards. Now, because of the freeway access, like domino's, there putting a big casino in. So, I'm guessing, my home will keep suffering decline until there done beating it! Thank goodness for Intel, if that leaves, I'm afraid as far as value my beautiful home won't be worth sqwat any more! Your an ant! Sometimes we get stepped on.

[ptbrennan]

Originally Posted by twiggy

People want it easy. Freeways are quick and efficient for carrying Phoenix's massive growth. My neighborhoods home values went down with our new freeway in our backyards. Now, because of the freeway access, like domino's, there putting a big casino in. So, I'm guessing, my home will keep suffering decline until there done beating it! Thank goodness for Intel, if that leaves, I'm afraid as far as value my beautiful home won't be worth sqwat any more! Your an ant! Sometimes we get stepped on.

I'm sorry to hear that your home values were negatively affected by the new freeway. I would be about 1-1.5 miles from a new freeway, which should only help to increase our property value.

Seriously, though, look at the Biltmore area. The 51 runs right through one of the highest valued areas in Phoenix, and those homes west of 24th street weren't always so expensive. I would guess that the neighborhood's cache, combined with the freeway's convenience, propped up the property values.