Voters in Maricopa County will have a chance to vote on the renewal of a decades-old transportation sales tax, after Governor Katie Hobbs signed a bill that paved the way for an election on the tax to take place.
So far, the transportation sales tax, as provisioned in what is known as Proposition 400, has paved the way for the construction of several highways, including State Route 51, Loop 101, Loop 202, and Loop 303. Should voters approve an extension to the sales tax, it could provide over $24 billion for projects over the course of 20 years.
"They need this," said Arizona House Minority Leader Lupe Contreras . "They want to get to work, but don't want to last 45 minutes to an hour and a half on I-10 to go to work and feed their families."For decades, a half-cent sales tax in Maricopa County has provided funding for the construction of various freeways, and if voters approve an extension to Proposition 400, officials say work on a new West Valley freeway can start. FOX 10's Nicole Garcia reports.
According to a study completed by the Maricopa Association of Governments, Morning rush hour drive time on the I-10 for the year 2040 was estimated to be about 75 minutes going east toward Downtown, and 60 minutes during the afternoon. It’s estimated that the construction of the Tres Rios Freeway would reduce travel time by about 20% each way.