East Valley hijacked freeway routes

The Arizona Republic
Nov. 13, 2005 12:00 AM

In 1985, voters approved the regional freeway system.

The very first leg should have been the South Mountain section. It would have taken the majority of through traffic around the city. Instead, 20 years later most of eastbound Interstate 10 traffic still goes through Phoenix.

Why?

East Valley politics, that's why.

Think about it.

They got the Arizona 51, Loop 101, Loop 202 and a widening of U.S. 60. Then they come out with noise-reducing asphalt and laid it down on the east side of the Valley first.

Get the picture?

Wake up, West Valley. It's our turn and it will be another 10 years before anything gets started.

You think you're in a parking lot now?

Wait a couple of years and see where you're at. - Abel Cruz, Phoenix