It took nearly three years to reach the final phase, but motorists in northwest Surprise are on the road to more traffic relief.
Work has begun to finish the 163rd Avenue Improvement Project as part of a general obligation bond voters passed in 2023.
The section of 163rd that stretches between Happy Valley and Jomax roads will be the focus of the final phase. City officials said work should take about 15 months, putting the completion date sometime in the early fall 2027.
Voters approved a $66 million bond in November 2023 for transportation projects across the city, including the congested 163rd Avenue and Happy Valley.
The main work will be the widening of 163rd to three lanes in each direction between Happy Valley to Jomax.
To help work go smoothly, the city has restricted a few roads during June.
The southbound right lane from Desert Moon Way to Happy Valley Road is already closed to traffic.
Access to and from Desert Oasis Boulevard through 163rd Avenue will be closed from June 15 to 24. The city said motorists can use Desert Moon Way as a detour.
Here is what else the project will entail:
• The intersection with Jomax will be built out completely with city crews adding travel and dedicated turn lanes.
• More dedicated right and left turn lanes are coming throughout the same stretch of 163rd.
• Sidewalks, curb gutters and streetlights will be added as well.
A few intersections will receive traffic signals or signal improvements.
Desert Oasis Boulevard will receive a new signal, and the one at Smoketree Drive will see the activation of a signal a developer put in.
Jomax’s signal will be updated to match the buildout of the intersection
Other improvements include utility installations, such as Intelligent Transportation Systems fiber improvements
Visit the project webpage at surpriseaz.gov/163rd.
Jason Stone can be reached at jstone@iniusa.org. Submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
Meet Jason Jason Stone joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2019, after a distinguished three decade media career that included stops at the Arizona Republic, iHeart Media/Clear Channel and Beckett Sports Card magazine. He remembers when airports sold newspapers.
Community: He is a big supporter of the Valley's original sports team: The Phoenix Suns.
Education: Northern Arizona University with a BS in broadcast journalism and a minor in sports coaching.
Random Fact: The capital of Nebraska is Lincoln.
Hobbies: Surfing, backgammon and men who aren't afraid to cry.
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