In November 2004, Maricopa County voters approved a 20-year extension of a half-cent sales tax until December 31, 2025, to fund a comprehensive package of transportation improvements as part of the Regional Transportation Plan. Funding for the plan, which includes $9 billion in regional freeway improvements in Maricopa County, became effective January 1, 2006.

The Maricopa County portion of SR 802 (study, design, and eventual construction) is included in the Regional Transportation Plan for Maricopa County and therefore will be funded by the voter approved half-cent sales tax. The portion of SR 802 within Pinal County is currently not funded for construction.


Freeway planning to determine potential future corridors and freeway improvements is conducted well in advance of design and construction. Area population growth, future land use, jurisdictional responsibilities, and other factors are used to determine the need, feasibility and general location of future freeway improvements.

In March 2006, MAG completed the Alignment and Environmental Overview Study for the Maricopa County portion of the study area. The study purpose was to identify a preferred alignment for the Maricopa County portion of the planned freeway and to develop detailed information regarding facility characteristics, right-of-way needs, environmental issues, and environmental justice concerns under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This information was intended to provide essential input for subsequent ADOT required corridor engineering, environmental, and design studies.

Concurrently, ADOT completed a Williams Gateway Corridor Definition Study for the Pinal County portion of the study area and incorporated the MAG Framework Study. The study identified the general location of a potential future roadway that would extend the SR 802 into Pinal County. In February 2006, the State Transportation Board adopted the corridor into the MoveAZ Arizona Long Range Transportation Plan.

However, the current ADOT studies will evaluate all reasonable and feasible alternatives in accordance with federal guidelines.


The SR 802 Corridor Study identifies alternative locations (alignments) and basic characteristics (number of lanes, type of traffic interchange, etc.) of a roadway. Accompanying this are environmental studies (economic impacts, cultural, hazardous materials, air, invasive species, endangered species, socioeconomics and water), evaluation of the alternatives, general cost estimates, coordination with public and private stakeholders, and the determination of the feasibility project to move to the design phase.

In the fall of 2009, SR 802 was separated into two separate studies:

SR 802, Loop 202 to Ironwood Road (Maricopa County)
Study of the portion of SR 802 from Loop 202 to Ironwood Road is advancing, including final design for the first mile of roadway from Loop 202 to Ellsworth Road.

SR 802 (Pinal County)
The portion of SR 802 that continues east into Pinal County has been suspended until another regional study, North-South Freeway (US 60 to I-10), advances.

Successful completion of these studies results in the selection of an alternative and environmental clearances that allow ADOT to move on to detailed design and construction. Project information is shared and discussed with the public at project milestones, and public input is considered in the evaluation of alternatives.

ADOT and the FHWA, as joint lead agencies, have initiated the Corridor Study for the proposed SR 802 in Maricopa and Pinal Counties. More on Current Studies . . .


The design of a roadway involves several stages of detailed engineering and technical review and interim levels of approval. The final design of the roadway is represented in plans and specifications that construction contractors use to prepare construction bids.


Road construction for projects is based on detailed plans and specifications provided to the contractor following the approved design. As the construction process advances, changes may occur that are influenced by a variety of factors. ADOT continually looks for ways to improve the construction process for maximum efficiency and minimal community impact. Once built, a roadway will be maintained and improved over time as a result of future growth and transportation needs.


ADOT continually plans for enhancements to the roadway once it is built and in use for maximum efficiency and safety. Various studies identify these enhancements and may influence additional planning, design and construction. Studies for State Route 802 are on the Current Studies page.