The Apache Junction Police Department is responsible for expanded traffic enforcement south on Ironwood Drive to State Route 24, which connects with Loop 202.

This is as of Nov. 8, when the annexation of the land south of Guadalupe Road was complete, according to a release.

Officials are projecting there will be approximately 10,000 new homes built in one section of the land over the next 10 years. Construction of those homes and improvements on Ironwood Drive is expected to begin in 2022. The already congested road will be seeing an increase in traffic in the coming weeks.

Due to the high volume of traffic, the increase in construction work in the area, and speed and ongoing collisions on Ironwood Drive, Apache Junction police will be strictly enforcing traffic laws with an emphasis on speed-limit violations, according to a release.

The 5.5 miles between SR24 and Guadalupe Road has been designated as a safety corridor and is being treated as a zero-tolerance enforcement zone. The public works division of the city has erected four signs on both the east and west sides of Ironwood Drive indicating that motorists are driving through a safety corridor.

In another attempt to reduce the number and frequency of collisions along Ironwood Drive, traffic officers have been instructed to enhance their efforts in traffic enforcement. Drivers should expect to see an increase in police presence in the safety corridor and traffic officers patrolling the area seven days a week.

“Together with your vigilance and careful attention to the traffic laws we can make Ironwood Drive safe for all of our residents and those passing through. Slow down and get there safely. A traffic accident will surely delay your arrival,” the release states.