Does The Phoenix area Infrastructure keep up with expansion? (Scottsdale: to live in, assessments)

[Sonic99]

Originally Posted by DougStark

I don't think the residents of Maricopa would agree that road infrastructure has kept up with growth. I've talked to many Maricopa residents who absolutely HATE the 347 divided highway into the metro area.

Wouldn't it have made sense to require the home builders to improve 347 PRIOR to building all of those homes? Apparently not in wild-west, no rules Arizona.

The biggest problem with the 347 is the Gila River Reservation. They are in a urinating contest with ADOT due to things like the 202 (GRIC said ADOT should just not build anything at all, as if that was even an option), and apparently the I-10 is part of that. Rumor I've heard over the years is that ADOT promised the GRIC more exits along the 10 when it was originally constructed, and then never did so. So now, ADOT needs GRIC permission to widen the 10, and GRIC is blocking it (note how I-10 has been widened, or is in the process of widening to at least 3 lanes all the way from PHX to TUC with the exception of the GRIC segment).

So my guess would be that the GRIC is basically telling all the "non-Natives" moving to Maricopa to pound sand and deal with it. It's not the GRIC's fault people built and moved down there, so why should they spend a penny upgrading the road to get there.

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by DougStark

I don't think the residents of Maricopa would agree that road infrastructure has kept up with growth. I've talked to many Maricopa residents who absolutely HATE the 347 divided highway into the metro area.

Wouldn't it have made sense to require the home builders to improve 347 PRIOR to building all of those homes? Apparently not in wild-west, no rules Arizona.

Yeah Maricopa is a disaster. Traffic builds up so bad.

SE Valley is getting so far out now that infrastructure can't keep up. As another poster stated, the GRIC isn't cooperating and they did everything they could to prevent the 202. And with them losing to the 202 and the I-10 expansion to 3 lanes I can guarantee they won't do another I-10 expansion. They aren't as cooperative as the SRIC. We will need a new freeway that runs down to Queen Creek/Florence and then down to the I-10 or what's already being talked about and planned, a commuter rail that goes through that route.

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by Prickly Pear

Yeah Maricopa is a disaster. Traffic builds up so bad.

SE Valley is getting so far out now that infrastructure can't keep up. As another poster stated, the GRIC isn't cooperating and they did everything they could to prevent the 202. And with them losing to the 202 and the I-10 expansion to 3 lanes I can guarantee they won't do another I-10 expansion. They aren't as cooperative as the SRIC. We will need a new freeway that runs down to Queen Creek/Florence and then down to the I-10 or what's already being talked about and planned, a commuter rail that goes through that route.

Pinal County has a freeway planned to run along the Empire Blvd/Hunt Hwy grid from I-10 due east to AZ 79

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220

Pinal County has a freeway planned to run along the Empire Blvd/Hunt Hwy grid from I-10 due east to AZ 79

Oh I was unaware of this. It's good they are putting another freeway right there, but it doesn't help North/South traffic into Phoenix or Tucson. Unless of course, it doesn't meet with the 79 until Florence, taking a dive south in San Tan Valley.

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

You must've gotten lucky. I'm always on the 51, and there are times where its so backed up (starting as early as 3:30 PM) that traffic is backed up to the 10/202 exit area by Sky Harbor. It usually clears up around Glendale Ave, and from there up to the 101 it usually flows great unless there is the typical daily accident.

People are always downplaying the traffic but crush hour sucks and it's a major headache if you have to drive in it.

It's the same kind responses like traffic in Los Angeles or Chicago is worse. Of course it's worse in those cities because they're a lot bigger and more crowded.

[locolife]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

People are always downplaying the traffic but crush hour sucks and it's a major headache if you have to drive in it.

It's the same kind responses like traffic in Los Angeles or Chicago is worse. Of course it's worse in those cities because they're a lot bigger and more crowded.

Phoenix congestion isn’t just light compared to mega cities like Chicago and LA, we have less traffic delays than cities that are much smaller like Las Vegas, Austin, Raleigh and even Tucson. We rank 45th in the US for congestion despite being the 12th largest metro.

When we say traffic isn’t a major issue here it’s spoken in general terms and based on this type of comparison.

https://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/traffic...ALL&country=US

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by locolife

Phoenix congestion isn’t just light compared to mega cities like Chicago and LA, we have less traffic delays than cities that are much smaller like Las Vegas, Austin, Raleigh and even Tucson. We rank 45th in the US for congestion despite being the 12th largest metro.

When we say traffic isn’t a major issue here it’s spoken in general terms and based on this type of comparison.

https://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/traffic...ALL&country=US

The west side and east side are night and day here in terms of Rush hour traffic. As there are many more freeways and wider surface streets with more connections in the east valley, traffic flows smoother.

BUT, I-10 on the west side at rush hour, or any of the surface streets between Lower Buckeye and Indian School are BAD! Try as an example driving up 75th Ave from Buckeye to McDowell at 5pm. Two miles, and it takes 15 mins or more!

[markeg]

I loved our visit to Phoenix! Traffic flowed pretty smoothly wherever we were.
We did travel through rush hour but it wasn't too bad.
Loved everything about Phoenix. Really enjoyed staying in Chandler and would like
To live there someday.
Can't wait to visit again!

[markeg]

I would also like to add that I felt safer in Phoenix metro than just about anywhere
In Florida.

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220

The west side and east side are night and day here in terms of Rush hour traffic. As there are many more freeways and wider surface streets with more connections in the east valley, traffic flows smoother.

BUT, I-10 on the west side at rush hour, or any of the surface streets between Lower Buckeye and Indian School are BAD! Try as an example driving up 75th Ave from Buckeye to McDowell at 5pm. Two miles, and it takes 15 mins or more!

Yeah West Valley isn't a joke. Used to take me 45 minutes or so last winter to get into Uptown from where I was. 13 miles. Not even as bad as that part of town either in regards to traffic.

From worst to best freeways (personal rankings) in regards to traffic:
1. I-10
2. I-17
3. 101
4. 60
5. 202
6. 51
7. 303