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Getting there: Towns fight fuel costs by buying bulk
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Gilbert and Queen Creek officials say they are buying fuel in bulk to help stem the effects of soaring gas prices.
Queen Creek officials recently approved a plan to build a temporary municipal fueling center to save money.
The idea is to buy gasoline at wholesale prices and avoid paying sales tax.
The town plans to spend about $146,000 on the fueling center that should be completed by the end of summer. But that's less than half of what the town expects to spend on gas in the next fiscal year.
For now, Queen Creek employees fill up town vehicles at two local Circle K gas stations and pay regular retail prices. The change is expected to save taxpayers about 55 cents a gallon on diesel and 41 cents a gallon on unleaded gas.
Gilbert officials say price was one reason they built their fueling station near Lindsay and Juniper roads. Assistant Town Manager Tami Ryall said the idea is to save money and guarantee a gasoline supply for the town.
Officials in that town don't know exactly how much they're saving, but said Friday they're looking into it.
Closures and restrictions
Speed restrictions will be in place at Power and Pecos roads.
All four directions at Higley and Germann roads will be restricted, with no left turns allowed for northbound and southbound HigleyRoad.
Traffic will be restricted to one lane on eastbound Guadalupe Road between McQueen and Cooper roads.
Queen Creek Road is closed from Arizona Avenue to McQueen Road through Sept. 28 while crews widen the road to six lanes.
Queen Creek Road between Crismon and Signal Butte roads remains closed while crews continue work on the Gilbert CAP waterline.
Crews will be working on street improvements in the area of Chandler Heights and Hawes roads.
Ellsworth Road between Germann and Queen Creek roads will be closed next weekend for street widening. Traffic will be detoured for this closure using Rittenhouse, Sossaman and Germann roads.
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