Plans to expand 26 miles of Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Casa Grande has received final environmental approval from the federal government.

The widening project will increase capacity and reduce congestion on a section of I-10 near Wild Horse Pass within the Gila River Indian Community, state transportation officials said.

A key segment slated for improvement is the I-10 Gila River Indian Community Project, a nearly 12-mile section from Loop 202 to just north of the Gila River bridges.

A portion of the segment is within the Maricopa Association of Governments region, which includes state and federal funding and more than $220 million in funding through Proposition 400 – the dedicated half-cent sales tax for transportation funded by Maricopa County voters, according to the Arizona Department of Transporation.

Other corridor improvements that are part of the I-10 Wild Horse Pass Corridor include widening 13 miles of road from south of the bridges to State Route 387.

Additional improvements within the corridor that were not part of this federal environmental assessment are the removal and replacement of the I-10 bridges over the Gila River Project. The bridge project is expected to begin construction this spring and is funded by state and federal funds. 

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