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The extension of Prop. 400, now known as Prop. 479 is becoming critical to Surprise’s future.
If approved by voters in 2024, the extension of a half-cent sales tax for transportation would pump in another $24 billion in projects over the next two decades.
In and around Surprise, the money would go to 13 projects that have been identified.
Those include a few in the northern part of the city, which is in desperate need of relief.
One would be the widening of 163rd Avenue completely from Grand Avenue to Jomax Road.
Improvements to the intersections at Grand and 163rd and Grand and Loop 303 are also possible.
"These projects will add alternate access points to the area, more lanes, overpasses and interchanges that will provide an incredible positive impact on the flow of traffic and increase traffic capacity as the area grows,” said Surprise Transportation Director Eric Boyles.
Here are the areas a passage of Prop. 479 would affect in and around Surprise:
Loop 303 at Litchfield Road
Loop 303 at Grand Avenue (Ultimate Interchange)
Grand Avenue at 163rd Avenue
Grand Avenue at Greenway Road
Grand Avenue: Loop 303 to I-10 Corridor Optimization
El Mirage Road: Loop 303 to Jomax Road
115th Avenue: Bell Road to Union Hills Drive
163rd Avenue: Grand Avenue Grand Avenue to Jomax Road
Bell Road Bridge at the Agua Fria River (Friendship Bridge)
• Cactus Road: Jackrabbit Trail to Cotton Lane
Dysart Road: Northern Avenue to Peoria Avenue
Sarival Avenue: Greenway to Waddell Road
Waddell Road: 175th Avenue to Cotton Lane
Prop. 400 was originally passed by voters in 1985 before it was initially renewed in 2004. It is set to expire at the end of 2025.
Jason Stone can be reached at jstone@iniusa.org. We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Jason Jason Stone joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2019, after a distinguished three decade media career that included stops at the Arizona Republic, iHeart Media/Clear Channel and Beckett Sports Card magazine. He remembers when airports sold newspapers.
Community: He is a big supporter of the Valley's original sports team: The Phoenix Suns.
Education: Northern Arizona University with a BS in broadcast journalism and a minor in sports coaching.
Random Fact: The capital of Nebraska is Lincoln.
Hobbies: Surfing, backgammon and men who aren't afraid to cry.
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