Work beginning on Meridian section from Germann to new SR 24 Extension

Officials from Pinal County and Queen Creek began moving  the first dirt for construction of the new section of Meridian Road from Germann Road through to the new State Route 24 extension on Aug. 19.

With the Arizona Department of Transport currently constructing the SR 24 extension through to Ironwood Road, scheduled to open in summer 2022, the county and the Queen Creek are working to build Meridan Road from Combs Road in the south through to the SR 24 extension.

With the area's expansion in recent years, road improvements are needed to ease traffic congestion for Queen Creek and San Tan Valley residents.

Officals said they hope the project, jointly funded by Pinal County and Queen Creek, will be completed ahead of ADOT's opening of the SR 24 extension. With this portion of work underway, it is expected the section between Queen Creek Road to Germann Road will also begin construction shortly.

Pinal County District 2 Supervisor Mike Goodman and Queen Creek Mayor Gail Barney led the proceedings. Supervisor Goodman highlighted the collaboration between a number of government agencies that have worked together to make the overall project a reality, namely ADOT, Apache Junction and Mesa, as well as Pinal County and Queen Creek.

"I'm grateful to Mayor Barney and the town of Queen Creek, as well as officials from our other local government municipalities and agencies for coming and working together for the people as a whole,” Goodman said. “These roads are much-needed relief for our communities of Queen Creek and San Tan Valley, and I, like I'm sure all of our residents, can't wait to see this project come to fruition."

Barney thanked Pinal County for leading the project.

 “In addition to cost-sharing this project with Pinal County, we are partnering with the city of Mesa to extend Signal Butte north from Germann to the SR 24,” Barney said. “The town has made strategic investments to prepare for these extensions. In 2018, we extended Crismon Road north to Germann, and last year we extended Signal Butte Road to Germann. We are committed to working toward ‘Better Roads Ahead.’"

While it is hoped construction of this project will have limited impact on road closures, it will be necessary to close Germann Road from Signal Butte Road to Ironwood Drive from Aug, 23 through Sept. 16.

Portions of the road will be accessible for local traffic. The recommended detour is via Queen Creek Road/Pima Road to the south