Construction to start on first segment of SR 24 in southeast Mesa
Construction to start on first segment of SR 24 in southeast Mesa
State Engineer Jennifer Toth at Tuesday's groundbreaking ceremony. The event kicked off the start of work on SR 24.
The Superstition Mountains served as backdrop Tuesday when a group including contractors, ADOT and local government officials, gathered in the East Valley to mark the construction start of SR 24.
Work begins this month on the first stretch of the state route also known as the Gateway Freeway. This initial section will span one mile between Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) and Ellsworth Road in southeast Mesa. The freeway will feature an interchange with elevated ramps connecting to and from Loop 202 near Hawes Road. The project is scheduled for completion in fall 2013.
Before the ceremonial groundbreaking, Mesa Mayor Scott Smith talked about how investment in infrastructure leads to economic opportunity and said SR 24 would help the nearby Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport continue to grow.
Mesa Mayor Scott Smith at the event held Tuesday at the SR 24 site.
ADOT State Engineer Jennifer Toth spoke, too, and mentioned the important role freeways serve in linking communities, adding that SR 24 represents an innovative partnership between ADOT and Mesa.
SR 24 is part of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Transportation Plan approved by county voters in 2004. The city of Mesa was able to advance the start of construction on the $71.4 million project by four years by issuing bonds.
Future phases of SR 24 are proposed to continue the freeway south into northeast Pinal County, however those additional phases will wait until the North-South Corridor Study in Pinal County advances.