Several projects underway to alleviate heavy Valley traffic

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Traffic has recently become a nightmare for drivers in the Valley.

Executive director of Maricopa Association of Governments Eric Anderson says heavy traffic is due to the economic boost.

"You have workers going to different job sites," he said. "You just have a lot more activity out there and so in that case, traffic is a positive indicator for economic well being."

One of the areas of emphasis is adding capacity.

"We need to continue to expand the system," Anderson said. "We have some new freeways in our long-range plans that need to be built here to accommodate future growth. Actually, growth that is here today as well as future growth."

One project going on now is the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway, which will be one alternative to Interstate 10.

"We are excited about having that facility in place," Anderson said. "It really would make a difference in the Valley connecting the southeast Valley to the southwest part of the Valley."

There are other projects on the list after the South Mountain Freeway is completed.

"We have another half-a-billion-dollar plan for I-10 around the Broadway curve there," Anderson said. "ADOT will probably have that under construction in 2021."

Anderson says the plan is to also operate the system efficiently.

"We are going to have to look at alternatives, shifting work times, and those sorts of things may be in our future too," he said.