Chandler’s Public Works and Utilities Department leaders presented 10 decision packages to the City Council at a May 2 budget briefing.
Since nearly all items that make it into the city’s proposed budget are likely to be approved, the presentation is more for transparency than to convince council to vote for them.
A staff report explains Chandler street pavement is rated using a complex formula scoring system called PQI, or pavement quality index. It states that only about 10% of Chandler’s 2,000-plus lane miles on its streets, or 209 lane miles, are in need of repaving based on the pavement quality index score.
The money proposed to be invested next fiscal year is intended to increase Chandler’s current citywide PQI score of 63, it states.
Public Works and Utilities Director John Knudson said the city’s Streets Master Plan is part of the overall 2019 Transportation Plan.
“That transportation document is a 10-year plan,” Knudson said. “It’s meant to be coordinated with the city’s latest General Plan and should be updated to reflect anticipated growth, changing technology and recommends future needs.”
There are about nine significant city street sections or intersection projects listed, with cost estimates, in the Streets Division’s $92 million project budget for fiscal 2026. The most expensive of those projects is Ray and Dobson roads intersection improvements and slightly more than $20 million; work along Alma School south of Loop 202 will be exhaustive and comprehensive as well.
Knudson told the Chandler Independent that a planned Kyrene Road project, while not expected to have work started before fiscal 2027 starts on July 1, 2026, will be even more complex and disruptive than anything planned on Alma School or Dobson.
That’s because it’s what he calls an outside widening, as opposed to eating up an initially wide median in the center, with more lanes.
“An outside widening usually involves purchasing easements, moving utilities — all kinds of things,” he said.
Two more capital projects scheduled for the fiscal year ahead that affect Public Works and/or utilities infrastructure include trails. Improvements to the Paseo Trail crossing of Queen Creek Road, as well as the Ashley / Paseo / Heritage trail connection near Cooper Road and Galveston Street and set to be completed in fiscal 2026.
There is about $22.7 million listed in the fiscal 2026 capital project for the first phase of the long-awaited Mesquite Groves Park. Council recently approved a design services contract for that project.
One project that hasn’t been discussed often in public meetings is the possible need to relocate a city park. A note in budget documents details the need for a $2.5 million fiscal 2026 line item.
“As a part of a comprehensive plan to improve downtown Chandler, Washington Street may be extended from Elgin Street to Pecos Road,” the note states. “If this extension happens, it will go through Winn Park (0.8 acres) causing the need for the park to be relocated. This funding is for the construction of a new 3-acre neighborhood park which will be in close proximity to the existing Winn Park. Typical amenities included in neighborhood parks are lighted paths, playgrounds, lighted sport courts, ramadas, open space and landscaping. Public meetings will be held to receive input from the residents on what amenities they would like included in the park.”
Another quality-of-life project scheduled as part of the fiscal 2026 budget is the Folley Park and pool renovation, estimated to set the city back about $2.44 million.
Jason W. Brooks News Editor | Chandler Independent
Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.
Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.
Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.
Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.
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