The Litchfield Park City Council moved one step closer to realizing its vision for its new cultural hub by approving a $200,000 contract to design a pedestrian underpass intended to protect residents from increasing traffic.
In a 6-1 vote April 15, the council authorized City Manager Matthew Williams to enter a cooperative purchase agreement for the engineering of the Litchfield Road Underpass.
The project will bridge the gap between the La Loma Village area and the Fry’s shopping center, running beneath Litchfield Road just south of the upcoming Hilltop School for the Arts.
The underpass is a central piece of the city’s infrastructure strategy as it navigates a surge in development and ongoing friction regarding commercial truck traffic on nearby Camelback Road.
Targeted for completion in spring 2027, the underpass will mirror an existing pre-cast concrete arch system located north of Wigwam Boulevard. By funneling pedestrians beneath the roadway, officials hope to provide a safe route for students and seniors traveling between the historic downtown district and the new facilities rising on the La Loma hilltop.
“As pedestrian activity increases, city leadership will continue to explore all avenues to maintain our small-town atmosphere and traffic safety,” said Vice Mayor Paul Faith.
The decision comes as the city transitions away from its previous contractor, Collier’s. According to Williams, the existing design work will be handed over to a new firm, to be selected through a state bid or cooperative service contract, to ensure the project remains on schedule.
The underpass is being designed to support a suite of major projects currently transforming the La Loma Hilltop:
Hilltop School for the Arts: A performing arts high school for 450 students, featuring a 700-seat theater, set to open in August 2026.
Maricopa County Library: A new 10,000-square-foot facility expected to open in fall 2026.
P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center: A permanent museum and research library dedicated to the city’s history.
To manage the influx of visitors, the city is constructing a new roundabout at Brinton Avenue and Litchfield Road. While the construction has caused temporary closures, Council Member Justin James noted that the design is proven to reduce crash rates by up to 40%.
Despite the progress on pedestrian safety, some residents remain frustrated by the city’s limited power over commercial vehicles. Heavy truck traffic on Camelback Road has drawn sharp criticism from neighbors concerned about noise, air quality, and the safety of students biking to the new library.
State law currently hampers the city’s ability to act. Under Senate Bill 1097, Litchfield Park is prohibited from enforcing truck bans on major arterial roads that provide through access between jurisdictions.
“How do you expect children from Litchfield Elementary School to ride their bikes after school to the new library with all these trucks? The library and new high school should have never broken ground until these trucks were solved,” stated Litchfield Park resident Juliane Davis, in a submitted opinion.
In response, city officials are focusing on design-based solutions. Along with the underpass, the redesign of Camelback Road will include landscaped medians and roundabouts to force a reduction in speed.
“Although we are limited in what we can legally do to limit trucking traffic, we will continue to pursue all avenues,” said Yosha Brunson Kuhl, the city’s director of communications.
Visit litchfieldpark.gov for more information.
James Goldmeer Reporter | Goodyear & Litchfield Park
Meet James James Goldmeer joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2024, starting their career as a reporter in Goodyear and Litchfield Park.
Community: James grew up in the West Valley, calling Avondale home and going to school in Glendale and Peoria. Returning to the community after university, James plans to get involved in everything arts and culture, and civil rights.
Education: Northern Arizona University a bachelor's degree in Journalism, a certificate in Professional Communications, with a minor in English.
Random Fact: James spent half a year as an intern for the Arizona House of Representatives communication team, working with legislators to inform the public through press releases and social media.
Hobbies: James collects postcards and old books, reads memoirs and attends local jazz shows.
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