Mesa splitting $61.3M cost of Power Road improvements with Maricopa County, Gilbert

The city of Mesa will be entering an intergovernmental agreement with Gilbert and Maricopa County to share in the estimated $61.3 million cost of improvements to Power Road from the Santan Freeway to the East Maricopa Floodway.

The Mesa City Council unanimously voted to approve the agreement during its Monday meeting. The agreement was on the council’s consent agenda in which all items are handled through one motion and vote.

The project will widen Power Road to six lanes and will include raised landscaped medians, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalks and ramps, bike lanes, signs and striping, upgrade traffic signals, streetlights, improved drainage facilities, as well as acquiring necessary right-of-way and easements, according to a staff report.

“The improvements will be designed and constructed in accordance with (city of Mesa) standards,” the report stated.

Under the IGA, Mesa will be the lead agency for design, permitting, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, construction and construction management. The county will assist with acquiring right-of-way within the unincorporated area, and the county and Gilbert will provide required permits and participate in the project’s development, the report continued.

The improvement project is located within the segment of Power Road that extends from the south right-of-way line of Williams Field Road to Baseline Road, which a 2003 IGA between Mesa and Gilbert identified as Mesa’s area of future responsibility.

Mesa, Gilbert and Maricopa County have developed a preliminary design for the improvements and the current cost estimate, based on 60% of the design, is more than $61.3 million, the report stated.

The cost will be split between Mesa, Gilbert and the county, with Mesa estimated to pay more than $23.3 million. Under a separate agreement with the Maricopa Association of Governments, Mesa will receive more than $1.6 million in reimbursements for eligible design costs.

“Funding for the balance of the city’s estimated share has not been identified at this time,” the report stated. “Future expenditures are contingent upon council budget approval and appropriation.”

Gilbert will pay almost $21.2 million and the county’s share is set at $17.7 million.

“Costs for enhancements above county standards will be shared by (Gilbert and Mesa), while improvements requested specifically by one jurisdiction will be paid by that jurisdiction,” the report stated.

At the start of construction, Mesa will invoice Gilbert and the county for 50% of their estimated shares with the balance being paid after the project is completed.

Construction is expected to begin in fiscal year 2032 as the initial funding from the county will not be available before July 1, 2031.

Janet Perez can be reached at jperez@iniusa.org. Please send your comments about this article to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.