More money means more lanes, and the  Arizona Deparment of Transportation is competing for  federal funding to  expand and improve Interstate 10 between Chandler and Casa Grande.

ADOT has delivered a grant application through the Federal Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs  Act for an  added $300 million to supplement  a $400 million state appropriation signed into law earlier this month.

That commitment of state dollars  made ADOT eligible to compete for the federal money.

"This project is essential for Arizona to enhance the safety and traffic capacity of I-10 with the added benefit of positively impacting our economy," ADOT Director John Halikowski said. "Interstate 10 is a  key economic corridor. Commercial traffic on I-10 carries significant numbers of products and commodities,  many of which are manufactured or produced right here in Arizona.

"ADOT will do everything possible to leverage financial resources to expand and improve these 26 miles of highway and associated infrastructure."

The grant award announcement is expected sometime this fall. 

"Should the federal money not be awarded to the state, ADOT will have contingencies prepared to maximize the use of available dollars for lane expansion," according to an ADOT release.

An engineering and environmental study for the project is being completed in cooperation with the Gila River Indian Community and Maricopa Association of Governments.

The project is expected to start in 2023, beginning with expanding  the bridges that carry traffic over the Gila River. Target completion date for the  full project is  sometime in 2016.