Loop 202 (South Mountain Freeway)

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At the public hearing: Note that the public hearing provides the only opportunity for members of the public to make comments on the Draft EIS in front of a study team panel (within a three-minute time limit). Court reporters will also be available to take individual verbal comments; comments provided to a court reporter are not subject to the three-minute limit. Comment forms will be available for written comments.

All of the materials presented at the public hearing, including the study video, banners, maps, and comment form are available on the online public hearing. Comments will be accepted through this site until July 24, 2013.

Study Update

The study team, led by the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, has released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway Study. The April 26, 2013 release begins a 90-day public comment period that will conclude on July 24, 2013. A full-day public hearing on the Draft EIS will be held on May 21, 2013.

The proposed South Mountain Freeway has been a critical part of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Freeway Program since it was first included in funding through Proposition 300 approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985. The freeway was also part of the Regional Transportation Plan funding passed by Maricopa County voters in 2004 through Proposition 400.
The South Mountain Freeway is the last piece to complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system necessary for high-quality regional mobility.

The Draft EIS is also available for review during normal business hours at the following locations:

Phoenix Public Library – Ironwood Branch, 4333 East Chandler Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ 85048
Phoenix Public Library – Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85048
Sam Garcia Western Avenue Library, 495 East Western Avenue, Avondale, AZ 85323
Tolleson Public Library, 9555 West Van Buren Street, Tolleson, AZ 85353
ADOT Environmental Planning Group, 1611 West Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007, (Call for appointment: 602.712.7767)
At the public hearing on May 21, 2013, Phoenix Convention Center, North Ballroom, 10 AM to 8 PM.

The Draft EIS is also available for print at:

FedEx Office Print and Ship Center
4940 East Ray Road
Phoenix, AZ 85044

Public comments are a vital component in the decision-making process and one of the many criteria used in evaluating alternatives. All public comments received during the 90-day public review period for the Draft EIS will be considered and included in the Final EIS and the project’s administrative record.

The public is encouraged to review the Draft EIS, participate in the public hearing (see information below), and provide comments on the project.

How to Participate Video | How to Participate Brochure | Study Fact Sheet

Written comments can be provided by:

By email to projects@azdot.gov
By mail to:

South Mountain Study Team
Arizona Department of Transportation
1655 West Jackson Street, MD 126F
Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Phone: 602.712.7006

In 1985, Maricopa County voters approved funding for a Regional Freeway System, which included a South Mountain Freeway connecting Interstate 10 south of Phoenix with Interstate 10 in the West Valley. Due in part to a funding shortfall, the Arizona Department of Transportation was unable to develop 76 miles of planned freeways, including the South Mountain segment. The unfunded corridor, however, remained part of the planned Regional Freeway System. More | Close

Funding for the South Mountain Freeway was approved by voters in November 2004 with the passage of Proposition 400, which continued an existing half-cent sales tax through 2025 for improvements identified in the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP).

The Arizona Department of Transportation is charged with implementing the highway component of the Regional Transportation Plan which includes $13.2 million in new freeways, freeway improvements and maintenance.

As a lengthy and detailed transportation study, the information presented on this web site includes both current and archived data. Some of this data may no longer be accurate or applicable to the current status of the proposed freeway study. While we have tried to separate current from archive information, ADOT is sincerely committed to conducting this study openly and fairly, so we have maintained many years worth of documents, presentations and other information as part of this site to help provide a comprehensive reference for all members of the community until the formal environmental documents are released for public review and comment. If you have questions about the current-day accuracy of a document or want to inquire about the latest developments, we are always happy to provide personal assistance.

Project Timeline Graphic

This section details the required steps in the development of a roadway or roadway improvement. In addition to establishing a funding source, there are a series of required planning and environmental studies before a roadway is constructed. More | Close

In November 2004, Maricopa County voters approved a 20-year extension of a half-cent sales tax until 2026 to fund a comprehensive package of transportation improvements as part of a Regional Transportation Plan. Funding for the plan, which includes $9 billion in regional freeway improvements in Maricopa County, became effective January 1, 2006.

Responding to federal transportation planning requirements, the RTP is being extended through 2031 by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) to maintain a 20-year planning horizon. As a result, a fifth phase has been added to the RTP, covering the period from 2026 through 2031. Consistent with federal planning guidelines, funding for transportation projects is based on revenue sources that are considered to be reasonably available for the planning period. This assumes that for planning purposes funding sources with a long history of providing funding in the past will continue into the future.

In fall 2009, due to declining sales tax revenues and decreases in other transportation revenue sources to fund improvements, MAG recommended that some future projects be deferred to Phase V of the plan. As part of the planning process, project costs and funding levels are continuously monitored, and the RTP is periodically updated to take advantage of cost savings or changes in the transportation revenue outlook. This can result in the acceleration of projects that were formerly deferred. For more information about RTP projects deferred to Phase V in the MAG tentative scenario, please visit the MAG Web site.

The planning stage establishes the general location (alignment) and basic characteristics (number of lanes, type of traffic interchange, etc.) of a roadway. Accompanying this are environmental studies (noise, traffic volume, etc.), identification and evaluation of alternatives, general cost estimates, coordination with public and private partners and the determination of feasibility to move to the design phase.

The design of a roadway involves several phases 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. ADOT continually looks for ways to improve the construction process for maximum efficiency and minimal community impact. Once built, a roadway may be improved over time as a result of future studies.

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.

Our Valley Freeway System is part of the 2004 voter-approved Regional Transportation Plan. We are working hard with our transit partners to implement the voters’ vision and are committed to quality, safety, open communication with our neighbors, and minimal inconvenience to the traveling public.

	Phoenix Construction District
	Phoenix Maintenance District
	Regional Freeway System
	Urban Project Management

	(Black Canyon Freeway) North of Loop 101
	(Black Canyon Freeway) South of Loop 101

	(Red Mountain Freeway)
	(Santan Freeway)
	(South Mountain Freeway)

	Project Overview
	Freeway Management System
	Sign Rehabilitation

	Project Overview
	SR 87 Safety Improvements (SR 287 to Hunt Hwy)

	East ~ Loop 303 to Loop 202
	West ~ State Route 85 to Loop 303