Drivers to finally see work done on Higley Road

A stalled housing development at the northwest corner of Higley and Germann roads has left a road-widening project up in the air and drivers stewing for months. Gilbert officials say road work will resume Monday.

But the news isn't all good.

While Higley Road will remain open, Germann Road will close between Higley and Greenfield roads until about mid-August. Work on Higley Road should take until the end of July, but won't affect traffic much, officials said.

"Hopefully by mid-August the whole intersection will be done, and drivers will notice traffic flow is a lot smoother," town spokesman Garin Groff said.

Work at the Stratland Estates subdivision stopped sometime last spring. The developer behind the project was also responsible for widening adjacent Higley and Germann roads. But that work has stopped as well, leaving the entire area awash in traffic barricades and road restrictions.

The former developer, Stratland Homes, left the road-widening project unfinished after the company filed for bankruptcy.

Residents bemoaned what they described as a dangerous stretch of road.

"I'm actually surprised we haven't seen a bunch of accidents," Gilbert resident Terri Newman said.

Newman is one of a handful of Gilbert residents who have been e-mailing town officials about the problem.

The town requires private developments, like subdivisions and shopping centers, to provide necessary road and infrastructure improvements.

A new developer was found to take over the project last week and will begin working on the road-widening project Monday, Groff said.

"The new owner will be required to complete the work before receiving any permits from Gilbert," wrote Town Manager George Pettit in a statement.

Newman said she doesn't understand why the town did not simply finish the work and then bill the developer.

But in his response to Newman, Pettit said the town could not perform the work and put a lien on the property since it is in foreclosure.

"Any public dollars (invested) will likely be lost," Pettit wrote.

A Stratland Homes representative could not be reached for comment. The sales office at the development was empty and appeared to not be in use.