- Northern Parkway (Arizona)
-
Northern Parkway Length: 12.5 mi (20.1 km) West end: 
Loop 303 near El MirageMajor
junctions:
Loop 101 in PeoriaEast end: 
US 60 in GlendaleThe Northern Parkway is a planned major highway project in Maricopa County, Arizona in the United States that extends 12.5 miles (20.1 km). It will connect Glendale to communities such as Litchfield Park, and Waddell, from US Route 60 (US 60, Grand Avenue) to Loop 303. The proposed Northern Parkway will be an enhanced arterial street with grade-separated intersections at major cross streets to eliminate the major traffic signals on Northern Parkway. The resulting roadway will have twice the traffic carrying capacity of a typical arterial and will enable traffic to flow at average speeds of 45 miles per hour (72 km/h), as compared to typical arterials with average speeds around 25–35 mph (40–56 km/h). It is anticipated that the parkway will bring both business and residents to the current Bumstead area.
Route description
The Northern Parkway is planned to begin at an interchange with the Loop 303, heading to the east between Northern Avenue and a BNSF Railway line. After passing Litchfield Road, the parkway is planned to turn southeast and intersect Northern Avenue near Dysant Road. At this point, the Northern Parkway is planned to supplant Northern Avenue, heading east. After crossing the Agua Fria River, the parkway will intersect 111th Avenue, 107th Avenue, and 103rd Avenue at signalized intersections before crossing the New River. Past here, the route will have several traffic signals for shopping centers along with an interchange connecting to the Loop 101. The Northern Parkway will continue east from this point as a limited-access road to US 60 (Grand Avenue).[1]
History
Plans to upgrade Northern Avenue into a limited-access road date back to 2003, with an initial price tag of $307 million. A year later, residents of Maricopa County voted for a half-cent sales tax increase to fund several transportation projects including the Northern Parkway. After construction costs increased in 2006, it was decided to use the sales tax funding for the portion of the parkway west of SR 101 with money for the remaining portion to come from elsewhere. In 2008, Glendale, Peoria, and El Mirage decided for the road to be built, with the sales tax and federal funds paying for 70 percent of the project and the remainder coming from the three cities. [2] Construction on the portion between SR 303 and Dysart Road began in 2010 with construction to begin in 2011 for the portion between Dysart Road and 111th Avenue and from 111th Avenue to 91st Avenue in 2012. Completion of this road is expected in 2015 excluding the SR 101 overpass. The portion of the Northern Parkway from 91st Avenue to Grand Avenue remains unfunded with no construction date set.[1]
References
- ^ a b Sanders, Rebekah L. (August 4, 2010). "West Valley's Northern Parkway plan wins federal approval". The Arizona Republic. http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/08/04/20100804glendale-northern-parkway-plan.html. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
- ^ Sanders, Rebekah L. (October 24, 2008). "Future of Northern Parkway, fast alternative to I-10, taking shape". The Arizona Republic. http://www.azcentral.com/community/glendale/articles/2008/10/24/20081024gl-northern1024-ON.html. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
Categories:- Transportation in Maricopa County, Arizona
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