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InFocus - Issue 194 - September 2026

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AT A GLANCE

In this issue of InFocus, we answer the common questions we receive from residents about major roadway improvements happening around the city. From new bridges

to widened roads and added traffic signals, many projects are underway or starting soon as developers and the city work together to enhance vital infrastructure in Goodyear.

GOODYEAR CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR Sept. 14

5 p.m.

Work Session & Council Meeting

Sept. 21

5 p.m.

Work Session

Sept. 28

5 p.m.

Council Meeting

Oct. 5

5 p.m.

Work Session & Council Meeting

Oct. 19

5 p.m.

Work Session

Meeting dates are subject to change. For the latest meeting information, visit goodyearaz.gov. Council meetings and work sessions are held at Goodyear City Hall at GSQ, Council Chambers, 1900 N. Civic Square. Catch all of the council meetings streaming live on the city’s Facebook and X pages and YouTube channel.

GOODYEAR CITY COUNCIL (front row; l to r): Wally Campbell, Mayor Joe Pizzillo, Laura Kaino. (back row): Trey Terry, Vicki Gillis, Benita Beckles, Vice Mayor Brannon Hampton.

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InFocus Magazine • Goodyear Digital Communications Questions or comments, email: communications@goodyearaz.gov


FROM THE MAYOR Goodyear is growing fast, and if you’ve lived here for a while, you’ve probably felt it: more cars on the road, new neighborhoods and construction signs where there used to be empty space. The good news? The city is putting major investments in place to keep up with that growth and protect the great quality of life people love here. The tricky part? Big improvements sometimes come with temporary inconveniences. Right now, Goodyear has a $1.21 billion five-year Capital Improvement Program plan that will fund projects to make everyday life smoother, safer and more connected. A big portion of that money goes toward transportation improvements we’ll all benefit from. One of the largest is the Estrella Parkway Bridge Project, a major upgrade budgeted at about $114 million. Drivers will also see long‑term improvements with the widening of Cotton Lane and the Indian School Road expansion all aimed at easing congestion as more

people move here. These projects fit into the city’s broader Transportation Master Plan, which lays out how Goodyear plans to keep traffic moving as the community grows. On the fun side of things, Goodyear is continuing to expand parks and recreation. Guided by the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the city maintains 20 parks, splash pads, skate park, dog park, pump track and the impressive 30‑acre recreation campus with aquatics, sports courts and fields. These spaces help make Goodyear feel like a true community, not just a place where people live. Water is another big priority, especially in Arizona. The city is currently expanding the Rainbow Valley Water Reclamation Facility to double its treatment capacity by 2026, which helps support future growth and boosts the use of reclaimed water for irrigation and groundwater recharge. Combined with a water portfolio that mixes surface

Mayor Joe Pizzillo water, groundwater and reclaimed water, Goodyear keeps its long‑term supply resilient and reliable. Yes, growth can be messy. But Goodyear is working to manage what it can and investing big in the things that matter so residents continue to feel proud to call the city home.

COUNCIL CORNER As Goodyear continues to grow, our unwavering commitment to public safety remains at the heart of everything we do. In the fiscal year 2027 budget, the Goodyear City Council has prioritized the departments that protect our community by dedicating $143.6 million to public safety and court services, representing 27.5% of the General Fund Operations Budget. These investments directly support the services Goodyear residents depend on every day. Our fire department is funded at $63.5 million, enabling us to expand staffing, provide advanced training and equip our teams to respond quickly and effectively across the city. Scan the QR code to watch Brannon Hampton and other councilmembers share updates in our Council Corner video series.

Meanwhile, the police department, with $75.6 million allocated, is growing its ranks, adding specialized staff and modernizing technology to maintain the high level of service you expect as our city expands. The municipal court also benefits from $4.5 million to improve operations and ensure accessible, efficient justice. Looking ahead, we are investing $128 million in public safety capital improvement projects over the next five years. This funding supports new fire stations, facility upgrades and critical technology enhancements, building a resilient safety infrastructure to meet the demands of our growing community. Importantly, a safe community attracts more residents, businesses and even visitors. That’s why I pushed to launch Visit Goodyear, a new tourism program designed to showcase what makes our city special while boosting the local economy and tax revenues.

Vice Mayor Brannon Hampton Behind every investment are the dedicated firefighters, paramedics, officers, dispatchers and court staff who serve with pride and professionalism. Goodyear’s future is bright, and safety will always be its foundation. Thank you for trusting me to keep our community safe, prepared and thriving.

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WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG TO BUILD A ROAD? As one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, Goodyear is always looking ahead. New homes, businesses and jobs mean more people are using our roads every day. That’s why we’re investing in new roads and expanding existing ones. But these projects take time. Building a road is much more than laying down pavement. Before construction begins, months, or even years, of planning happen behind the scenes. Often, the city doesn’t own all the land needed for the project. In those cases, property must be purchased before work can move forward. Engineers also need to locate water lines, sewer pipes, gas lines, power lines and internet cables underground. If those utilities are in the way, they must be moved first. Many projects also require coordination with neighboring cities, Maricopa County, utility companies and state agencies. Everyone has an important role, and approvals must happen before construction begins. Even the city’s own Engineering team follows the same permitting and review process required of other developers. Every project is carefully designed, reviewed and inspected to make sure it is safe, meets today’s standards and will serve our community for many years. Road projects are also timed around available funding, traffic impacts and nearby construction so work can be completed as efficiently as possible.

ROADWAY PROJECT

TIMELINE PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

Projects are prioritized through the city’s Capital Improvement Program. Funded projects are included in the five-year CIP.

DESIGN Engineers develop the roadway design and coordinate drainage, utilities, traffic, right-of-way, environmental requirements and other project needs.

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LAND ACQUISITION Property, easements and right-of-way needed for the project are identified and acquired as design advances.

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CONSTRUCTION Once design and coordination are complete, the project moves through procurement and construction. Timing varies by project size and complexity.

Not all road projects in the city are city projects. Sometimes, a roadway improvement is being done by Maricopa County, Arizona Department of Transportation or a private developer.

goodyearaz.gov/InFocus

PROJECT SELECTION & FUNDING

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We know waiting can be frustrating. But every step in the process helps ensure Goodyear’s roads are built to last and are ready to support our growing community for generations to come.

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1

The Transportation Master Plan identifies long-term transportation needs and helps guide future roadway investments.

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COMPLETE

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The roadway is complete and open for the community to enjoy - improving mobility today and for years to come.

Utility companies may also dig up or repave portions of roads when moving or upgrading infrastructure.


LOOP 303 EXTENSION

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is extending the Loop 303 from Van Buren Street southward to Maricopa County (MC) Route 85. Work began in June, and the project is expected to last through the summer of 2030.

FAST FACTS $613M 10 BRIDGES will be constructed

300,000

square feet of retaining walls

275,000

square feet of sound walls

275,000

square yards of concrete pavement

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT ADOT is clearing the land and

will use specialized equipment to compact and strengthen the soil beneath the future freeway.

Nearby residents can expect to

see large construction equipment, hear mechanical and vibrationrelated noise.

ADOT will construct the

northbound frontage road, which will act as the main thoroughfare during construction.

Scan the QR code for an ADOT podcast on the project or visit azdot.gov/podcast, episode 128.

WHEN IT’S COMPLETED There will be three lanes in each direction between Van Buren Street and Lower Buckeye Road. Two lanes in each direction between Lower Buckeye Road and MC 85 and a portion that branches off south of Elwood. A traffic signal at MC 85. One-way frontage road in each direction to maintain local access. New bridges over Lilac Street, Broadway Road and the BNSF Railway.

Visit azdot.gov/L303-MC85-VanBuren for full details.

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UPCOMING

ROADWORK PROJECTS W BETHANY HOME RD

N 152ND AVE

N CITRUS RD

W CAMELBACK RD

W THOMAS RD

N PEBBLE CREEK PKWY

N COTTON LN

N PERRYVILLE RD

W INDIAN SCHOOL RD

W MCDOWELL RD

The city’s roadway network connects Goodyear to the larger region, which helps the city grow and supports the housing and jobs that contribute to the city’s sustainability. Goodyear’s goal is to provide, a well-functioning roadway network that effectively and efficiently serves Goodyear’s residents, visitors and employers. Roadway and pavement projects listed on the next three pages are a few of the improvement projects underway in the city. Visit goodyearaz.gov/projects to learn more about them. You can enter the CIP number in the search bar to find information on a specific project.

W MCDOWELL RD

CITRUS RD

SARAVAL AVE

N ESTRELLA PKWY

W VAN BUREN ST

S COTTON LN

W YUMA RD

WHAT

W LOWER BUCKEYE RD

W ELWOOD ST

S PERRYVILLE RD

W DUNLAP RD

MC85 MC85

GILA RIVER W VINEYARD AVE

Estrella Parkway Repavement

Sarival Road Improvement Estrella Parkway Improvement Cotton Lane Improvement

goodyearaz.gov/InFocus

KW Y STR

ELL

AP

LN

SE

Indian School Improvement

S COTTON

Camelback Traffic Signals

The city’s Pavement Management Division is performing a mill and overlay project on Estrella Parkway. Two inches of pavement will be milled off and replaced with new asphalt between McDowell Road and Van Buren Street. This is commonly used on roads where the surface has deteriorated to a point where other treatments are no longer effective. This project will extend the life of the pavement.

WHEN

Sept. 14 — Nov. 4

Camelback Improvement

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ESTRELLA PARKWAY PAVEMENT PRESERVATION PROJECT

IMPACT

xpect delays. Estrella Parkway will be restricted E to one travel lane for north and southbound traffic and there will be detours at times. Visit goodyearaz.gov/pavementpreservation for full details.


CAMELBACK ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (EASTBOUND) WHAT

Camelback Road is the gateway to Goodyear’s Loop 303 Corridor growth area. This project will improve the corridor’s capacity by widening Camelback Road to two lanes in each direction between the Loop 303 and 152nd Avenue, install new designated turn lanes and a bicycle lane (eastbound) and add two traffic signals, streetlights, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, drainage and landscaping.

WHEN

Now — December 2027

CAMELBACK ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNALS (WESTBOUND) WHAT

The city will add new traffic signals to the intersections listed below over the next couple of years.

WHEN

Camelback Road and Cotton Lane (by April 2027) CIP #42080 Camelback Road and Citrus Road (by October 2027) CIP #42113 Camelback Road and Perryville Road (by April 2028) CIP #42013

IMPACT

Camelback Road will be open for thru traffic in both directions. Visit goodyearaz.gov/projects for full details. (CIP #42038)

INDIAN SCHOOL ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WHAT

This project will eliminate the existing scalloped streets, or incomplete streets, on the eastbound lanes on Indian School Road between Perryville and Citrus Roads by adding two additional thru lanes. The finished project will have three lanes for eastbound traffic.

WHEN

Now — September 2030

IMPACT

Interim improvements will include four travel lanes within the existing right-of-way and traffic signals at the intersections with Citrus and Perryville Roads. Visit goodyearaz.gov/projects for full details. (CIP #42089)

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SARIVAL ROAD ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WHAT

Sarival Avenue is an arterial street with eastbound access to I-10. It serves as an important neighborhood connector, linking established neighborhoods from PebbleCreek to Sarival Village. This project will widen the west half of Sarival Avenue to two southbound lanes between Yuma Road and Elwood Street and add a traffic signal at Elwood Street.

WHEN

IMPACT

Now — January 2028

Sarival Road will be open to thru traffic in both directions.

Visit goodyearaz.gov/projects for full details. (CIP #42048)

ESTRELLA PARKWAY ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WHAT

The Estrella Parkway Bridge was originally built in 1988 and is one lane of traffic in each direction. This project will replace the Estrella Parkway Bridge with a six-lane roadway and widen the parkway between Vineyard Avenue and MC 85. The project also includes replacing the bridge over the Buckeye Canal.

WHEN

Now — January 2029

IMPACT

Estrella Parkway will be open to thru traffic in both directions. Visit goodyearaz.gov/projects for full details. (CIP #42026)

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COTTON LANE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WHAT

This project will improve the flow of traffic on Cotton Lane from Estrella Parkway to south of the Gila River bridge. It includes reconstructing the existing roadway and widening Cotton Lane to provide two northbound and two southbound travel lanes.

WHEN

Now – April 2027

IMPACT

Temporary lane shifts, lane restrictions and intermittent traffic control operations will be necessary as work progresses. Visit goodyearaz.gov/cottonlane for full details.


TIPS FOR NAVIGATING ROAD IMPROVEMENTS PLAN AHEAD A few extra minutes of planning can save a lot of frustration. Before you leave, check for road closures and construction updates to see if there’s a quicker route.

GIVE YOURSELF EXTRA TIME Construction zones can slow traffic, especially during rush hour or the start of the school year. Leaving 10 to 15 minutes earlier can make your trip much less stressful.

SLOW DOWN Reduced speed limits are there to protect construction crews, drivers and pedestrians. Slowing down also gives you more time to react to changing traffic patterns.

FOLLOW THE SIGNS Temporary lane shifts and detours are designed to keep traffic moving safely while work is underway.

REMEMBER THE BIGGER PICTURE Today’s orange cones become tomorrow’s smoother commutes. Road improvements help reduce congestion, improve safety, support emergency response and prepare Goodyear for future growth.

Road projects often take 2-5 years from planning to completion. Construction is only one phase: the planning, design and approvals often take longer. Many projects include upgrades to water, sewer and storm drain systems below the road. Crews may need to protect wildlife habitat, relocate utilities or coordinate with neighboring agencies before construction can begin. Projects are carefully timed with available funding and other nearby improvements to minimize future disruptions. September 2026

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ADAPTIVE SIGNAL TIMING PILOT HELPS KEEP GOODYEAR MOVING The city is testing a new tool called Adaptive Signal Timing. The one-year pilot program started last December, and the goal is to help drivers move through city streets with fewer long waits at red lights. Today, Goodyear has 122 traffic signals and about 125,000 residents. That’s a big change from 2008, when the city had 42 signals and around 60,000 people. With the city’s growth, Goodyear is looking for smart ways to keep traffic flowing. Adaptive Signal Timing uses special software that watches real-time traffic and adjusts signal timing almost instantly. The signals communicate through the city’s fiber network, sending information from the signal to the Traffic Management Center, then to the cloud, and back to the signal, all within a second or two. This helps keep cars moving during busy times like morning rush hour, construction detours or special events.

“Our goal is to move traffic as efficiently as possible. Adaptive Signal Timing helps us do that by using real-time data instead of relying on predictions. It lets our signals respond to what’s actually happening on the streets, so drivers spend more time moving and less time waiting,” said Engineering Director Steve Scinto. Early results from the pilot show that drivers are spending more time moving and less time sitting at red lights. The system also responded well during recent road construction near Buc-ee’s, helping control traffic on nearby streets with minimal delays. Another benefit is cost. The software uses the city’s existing equipment, making it a budget-friendly option for future growth. The city will continue reviewing data from the pilot program through the end of the year to determine future use.

ROAD SAFETY ACTION PLAN With more people on the move, keeping our streets safe has become more important than ever. That’s why the city has created the Road Safety Action Plan (RSAP), a community-wide roadmap for making sure everyone gets where they’re going safely. This plan brings together ideas and expertise from departments across the city, including Engineering and the Goodyear Fire and Police Departments, as well as incorporating feedback from residents. The RSAP takes a close, data-driven look at where and why crashes happen. Using the Safe System Approach, it helps the city identify what needs attention now and what to prepare for as Goodyear continues to grow. The strategies touch everything from

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road design and traffic operations to community education and smart policies. The plan also supports the Goodyear City Council’s goal of reducing serious crashes by 5% each year, ultimately reaching zero fatalities by 2045. To get there, it focuses on five key areas: general safety strategies, human behavior on the road, intersections, pedestrian and bicycle safety and the challenges that come with growth and congestion. All together, these efforts help to build a safer, more connected transportation system that makes it easier for everyone to arrive home safely, every time. Visit goodyearsafestreets.com for full details.


Advancing Goodyear is your go-to hub for understanding how the city is planning for today’s needs and tomorrow’s growth. The webpage brings together key resources like the city’s Strategic Plan, Performance Measures, Capital Improvement Project updates and results from Goodyear’s biennial community survey.

As Goodyear continues to grow, these tools help keep our progress transparent and make it easy for residents to see how projects and priorities are shaping everyday life. Advancing Goodyear gives everyone a clear look at how the city is moving forward and how we’re working together to keep Goodyear a great place to live.

Visit for goodyearaz.gov/AdvancingGoodyear for full details.

There are many simple ways to join in Good Neighbor Day

FILL A GIFT BAG FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR Throughout September, you can stop by the Goodyear City Hall lobby at 1900 N. Civic Square and pick up a Good Neighbor Day Gift Bag. On Sept. 28, fill it with a small gift, like snacks, cookies or a gift card. Then, take the bag to someone who lives close to you. It’s an easy way to break the ice and help keep Goodyear’s small-town feel strong.

SNAP A SELFIE Take a photo with your neighbor and their gift bag. Post it on Facebook or Instagram using #GoodyearGoodNeighbor. You could win a gift card to a local restaurant!

NOMINATE YOUR NEIGHBOR Tell us about a great neighbor you know. You and your nominee could each win a $25 gift card. A random winner will be selected on Sept. 30.

GOOD NEIGHBOR DAY

CELEBRATE COMMUNITY ON SEPT. 28 Every year on Sept. 28, people across the country celebrate National Good Neighbor Day. It’s a special time to show kindness, make new friends and help our neighborhoods feel welcoming. Here in Goodyear, our Neighborhood Services team has been working with residents, local businesses and our faith community to bring this day to life in fun and meaningful ways. Good Neighbor Day also connects perfectly with Goodyear’s newest resident-focused program, GEAR. GEAR focuses on what is strong in our community rather than on what is wrong, and it centers on building strong neighborhood connections. “Even though Goodyear is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, we still want our neighborhoods to

feel like a close, friendly small town,” said Neighborhood Services Manager Jeremy Dyck. Good Neighbor Day is a chance for every resident, whether new to the community or a longtime resident, to help Goodyear stay friendly, welcoming and strong. “I love seeing neighbors smile. When we all take part in Good Neighbor Day, it reminds us that community starts right on our own street,” said Monica Struth, a current GEAR participant. We hope you’ll join in on Sept. 28 and celebrate the neighbors who make our city feel like home. Visit goodyearaz.gov/ goodneighbor for full details.

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PRST STD U.S. POSTAGE

ECRWSS Postal Customer 1900 N. Civic Square Goodyear AZ 85395 goodyearaz.gov 623-932-3910

PAID

GOODYEAR, AZ PERMIT #216


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