CCEDC Board Fights for Rural Roads Funding

The Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition decided in its March Board of Directors meeting to recommend to the Arizona State Board of Transportation reconsider its funding priorities. The Board’s resolution says, in part, “the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) tentative five year plan and budget for 2020-2024 that the proposed plans place the rural communities of Eastern Pinal and Southern Gila County and rural communities throughout the state at risk and in economic jeopardy.”

“The proposal to use the majority of funds designated for the thirteen rural counties on improvements to the Interstate highway system at the neglect and expense of the non- interstate highways is a grossly negligent approach to the primary transportation arteries in rural Arizona. Without critical funding to maintain and make improvements to the non- interstate highways the safety of rural residents and commercial motorists is severely compromised. Adequate funding to address deteriorating road conditions and heavy congestion of truck traffic in narrow roadways is paramount to insuring safe driving conditions and the overall economic stability in our rural communities.”

The Board is petitioning the Arizona State Board of Transportation to “redirect funding and priorities back into the thirteen rural counties and the non-interstate highways that serve the rural communities…”