Progress continues on South Mountain Freeway corridor

PHOENIX – Vacant properties owned by the Arizona Department of Transportation will soon begin to be removed to clear a path for the future Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway, which is the last piece to complete the Loop 202 system and provide a direct link between the West Valley and East Valley. Nearly 200 vacant properties owned by the state will be razed in advance of freeway construction, which is set to begin in summer 2016.

For more than 20 years, but accelerating since late March, ADOT has been acquiring the necessary right of way for the South Mountain Freeway, including homes, businesses, and agricultural and industrial properties. Now ADOT is ready to begin clearing those properties in preparation for the 2016 start of freeway construction.

Moving forward with these preconstruction activities will ensure that there are no delays to the project and no additional costs to taxpayers.

Following federal regulations for property acquisition and relocation, ADOT has been working with property owners to facilitate their smooth transitions into new locations and providing benefits to the extent allowed by law. In addition to paying market value for property, ADOT offers relocation financial assistance as part of the acquisition process.

During this phase of preconstruction activity, which is expected to start Aug. 26, properties will be fully cleared, including landscaping, foundations and pools. The lots will then be covered with crushed granite gravel to aid in dust control until freeway construction begins in mid-2016.

ADOT is working with the Phoenix Police Department, and has hired private security, to ensure safety and security during the property-clearing process.

The South Mountain Freeway will be constructed with four lanes in each direction – three general-use lanes and one HOV lane – and modern features that have made Arizona freeways stand apart from other states for a generation, including rubberized asphalt and aesthetics designed in partnership with the community. The $1.75 billion project is expected to take about four years to construct under an innovative public-private partnership that will have a private developer design, construct and maintain the freeway for 30 years. This public-private partnership will reduce costs to taxpayers while accelerating construction for this corridor.

For more information, visit azdot.gov/SouthMountainFreeway.