A construction project to widen Power Road will restrict the major thoroughfare to one lane in each direction for more than a year.
The project began this week and spans nearly 3 miles from the Loop 202 Santan Freeway to Pecos Road. The work is minor to start with but will intensify about July 9, Mesa spokeswoman Rene Powell said.
“They’ll start shifting traffic over and it will be one lane in each direction for almost the duration of the project,” she said.
The $28.6 million project will continue into the fall of 2013. The project will widen Power to six lanes and add a raised median. Also, the new road will feature signs designating the area as the Power Knowledge Corridor. That district is envisioned as a hub of higher education, research, high-tech, bioscience, engineering and aerospace.
While Mesa cautions drivers about the construction, it is encouraging residents to support businesses in the area. The city is trying to offset the disruption by helping businesses promote themselves and construction specials at www.shopmesaaz.org.
“We really want to help the businesses along as much as we can,” Powell said.
The city allows businesses to be part of the website when they’re in a construction zone that will last 6 months or more.
The only other projects of that nature underway now are on Main Street, from Gilbert road to Mesa Drive, and at the intersection of Mesa Drive and Southern Avenue.
Contact writer: (480) 898-6548 or ggroff@evtrib.com
soricobob posted at 7:20 am on Thu, Jun 21, 2012.
There are only a few things to remember about this entire project: 1. No matter that they are widening the road to 6 lanes from the 202-Pecos, below Pecos (going North) it is one lane; 2. since ADOT has been preparing the flyover, and the new road is 50 yards to the East of the current road, one lane of traffic will provide for the least traffic flow, so that's what it will be; 3. Since there are very wide access areas on both sides of this area (a wash and an old Air Force base) the construction will necessitate disruption of daily traffic for as long as possible (to highlight AZDOT's worth); 4. Public comment may be made at any time, but will not be listened to.