Transportation important issue in Maricopa County
BY DENNY BARNEY
As Maricopa County continues to grow, transportation remains a critical issue. Whether driving to work, picking up the kids from school, or going for a hike in the San Tan Mountains, our roads are an important part of East Valley life. The Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) plans, designs, builds, maintains and operates many of the roads we use each day.
In our area, there are many projects underway we know will help improve people’s commutes. The largest effort is a series of projects along the nearly 10-mile stretch of Riggs Road from Val Vista Drive in Chandler to Meridian Road in Queen Creek. MCDOT, the City of Chandler, and the towns of Queen Creek and Gilbert are working together to add lanes, upgrade major intersections and improve roadway drainage. These projects are still in the early stages but, when completed, Riggs Road will serve as a major east-west
route to ease traffic congestion, promote economic development and connect communities and businesses throughout the county.
In addition to building and expanding roads, MCDOT is also working to ease traffic through traffic management. Along Riggs Road at Alma School Road, MCDOT’s “Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)” project is putting in 3.5 miles of fiber optic cable that will allow real-time information to be sent to the Traffic Management Center. This will make monitoring and actively managing traffic flow easier, and your travel less congested.
Maricopa County also believes in responsible fiscal management. MCDOT and the Town of Gilbert have entered into a cooperative agreement (the “Entente Program”) that allows both agencies to share resources to perform routine or emergency highway maintenance services. The Entente Program offers MCDOT and regional partners a more efficient model to continue providing connections that improve lives.
MCDOT’s road projects start with smart and effective planning. MCDOT is in the process of revising its current Transportation System Plan (TSP 2035),
a framework to address transportation needs over the next 20 years. Last year, MCDOT held public meetings throughout the county to gather input on what is important to county residents. This spring, the Draft TSP 2035 will be available for public comment and feedback. Once the Draft TSP 2035 is updated with final recommendations, it will be forwarded to the Transportation Advisory Board and then to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for consideration and adoption. The goal is for the plan to be adopted in November.
Maricopa County is committed to improving your roads and your commute throughout the county by strengthening the connections among our communities, which supports our economic development and traffic safety throughout the region. Keep up to date with all of MCDOT’s news on Facebook (www.facebook.com/MaricopaDOT) and on Twitter: @MCDOTNews.
Denny Barney is a Gilbert resident and a member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
First I heard it was 10,000 refugees then 25,000, now 50,000 The writer mentions the Congress, then getting rid of the president. The Congress has control over this situation along with the State Dept. I don’t know what the president has to do with the refugee problem. To the writer about student-athlete deaths: They were not killed but died. More must be done to keep these kids safe. Not as much fun for the adult spectators but maybe some kind of less violent form of football. To the writer about Putin and the president: With all due respect, go to adult education
and learn about our Constitution. Congress declares war. In the recent past Congress has been duped into the war powers act. This bypasses the Constitution. To the writer about Bridget and credit card calls: Get an answering machine to start. It works for me. Look into the do not call list. There are laws about repeated calls. If you do answer simply say do not call according to the law. If they do, they can be fined. Have caller ID to record the number for the FCC and the FTC. To the writer about being informed: The informed person looks at all the information presented and makes their decision. Be
it Republican or Democrat. Think with your head and not your preconceived perception. To the writer about the Boston bombers: They were typical American teenagers, then young men. The older turned away from his secular feelings and went towards the radical side. The younger admired his brother and he says he followed his lead. Both were on the radar. But like any combat or attack only the attacker knows the time and place. Radicalization came later, so a background check would probably not have shown any information that could be seen as a red flag. To the writer of an eye for an eye: Appeals are part of the justice system. If you don’t like that then look into changing the law. If you were in their place, I think you would want your lawyer to exhaust all the possibilities before sticking that needle in your arm. There are many on death row who indeed are innocent. Many have been saved by new evidence and methods. DNA for one. I read a very good book on how evidence is withheld, or the prosecution only looks at one person –“An Innocent Man.” Evidence that could find the defendant not guilty is often withheld. A conviction does not always mean guilt.
Several years ago there was a caller, Rachel, from Credit Services, that was a recording. I got the calls at home and on vacation, and even once it came through on an elevator! Then they stopped...for a while. When they resumed it was from a different woman, I don’t remember the name. It could have been Bridget. So I was curious and let the call go through to an operator. When a young man answered I asked him, “What happened to Rachel?” Without hesitation he said, “She died.”
The Society of Arizona Pioneers was founded in 1884 and changed its name to the Arizona Historical Society in 1971. In 1984, it celebrated its centennial and published a 230-page book (“Pioneer Heritage”) commemorating its first 100 years. Then, just 30 years later in 2014, it celebrated its 150th anniversary. A sesquicentennial logo with a 150 in it was created. There was a special 150-item display and a celebration in Tucson. Zachary Ziegler, of Arizona Public Media, published a Sept. 1, 2014, anniversary story after interviewing the collection manager. The AHS itself published a special edition of the Journal of Arizona History to commemorate its
150th birthday. How can this happen? Shouldn’t a state historical society, that gets millions of dollars a year in public funds, be capable of scheduling its own anniversaries correctly?—Dick Zimmerman, Tempe
It’s really very simple. You can only give what you have. If you are full of fear, hate and anxiety, like the media, then that is all you can give to others. If you are full of peace, love and happiness then that is your gift. So look carefully at what you are allowing inside your mind. Do you reject negativity, welcome it, or seek it out? Do you say “get thee behind me” or “come on in”? It’s really very simple. The kingdom of heaven is within you or you have inner demons to share with the world. Which will help?
Here we go again. The reason so many crane operations have accidents is they do not know their high school geometry. Stay in school. Get a better education. Get a better job.
Isn’t it wonderful all these strangers on television have all the answers to all the problems that should be solved in Congress. Why aren’t they in Congress then, instead of the dummies we voted for that don’t
know how to do anything? Just put the strangers on TV in Washington, where they belong.
Buy all the collector guns you want—you just have to have a license to buy the ammunition. That’s how you control the nuts who are running loose on the streets.
Representing the younger people of America and the younger generations, we want the rest of the world want to know we’re sick and tired of all of you always waiting for America to do the dirty work for you. Get a life. Do your own dirty work.
The flood plain along the tracks in Gilbert, hasn’t been flooded in over 70 years so the government makes the flood plain bigger. Makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it?
Oh boy, just what the youth of the world need to lead them—the egomaniacs Trump and Putin.
I just wanted to warn everybody about a scam that is going on regarding Facebook and the Publisher’s Clearing House. If you get a friend request from Publishers Cleaning House or any of the representatives from it, do not accept it. Do not respond.
There’s a scam going on where they get you to believe that you have won $1 million and all they need is $199 or whatever amount they say to pay the taxes off before they pay the check. This is a scan. Publishers Clearing House will never friend request you or send a private message to you on Facebook. That’s not how their prize patrol works.
Pay attention. What a rip off. Who knew there was a third-party Democrat running for president and he was speaking the truth. What a dirty, dirty trick TV and news people are playing. They forget there’s a third party running on the Democratic ticket. And he
sounds like an honest American. What a rip off to hide him. Shame on you.
Do you suspect the drug dealers are losing money at last because now they are pushing soupedup fruit drinks to get children started to being buzzed? God help the next generations.
Hillary Clinton cannot keep her husband’s fly shut. How do you think she can go ahead and run the entire United States of America?
That’s my message.—Barbara
RED MOUNTAIN MAIDS
Homes/Offices/Commercial
Low prices. Serving the East Valley for 10 years! Prompt, courteous service
$15/hr using your supplies or $17/hr w/our cleaning supplies Call 480-354-7928 or 480-206-9998
PROFESSIONAL HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE
35years Experience – 20years in the Valley Free Estimates Local References
Move-out cleaning services available. All work done by non-smoking, meticulous owner. Call Shirley 480-433-4945
WINDOW CLEANING TIME!
WINDOWS interior and exterior SCREENS sunscreens and regular TRACKS
CEILING FANS
LIGHT FIXTURES
POWER WASHING driveways, sidewalks and patios
Accredited Member BBB Call FISH WINDOW CLEANING
80-962-4688HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOLTZMAN HOME IMPROVEMENT
People do business with people they trust Home Remodeling, Additions & Handyman Jobs
-Kitchens or Baths in 5 Days
-Painting/Drywall/Stucco
-Plumbing/Electrical
-Tile/Flooring
-Fencing/Roofing
-Decks/Garages
-Stock Cabinets
We Do it All!
24 Hour Emergency Services
Licensed/Bonded/Insured
ROC#242008
WINTER SPECIAL
15% off labor on any job over $1,000
Must mention this ad for discount
Can’t combine with any other offer
Call for a Free Estimate!
602-628-8735
602-323-6574
Holtzmanhomeimprovement.com
HOME
REMODELING/REPAIRS & CUSTOM
INTERIOR
PAINTING
Move a wall; turn a door into a window.
From small jobs and repairs to room additions, I do it all.
Precision interior painting, carpentry, drywall, tile, windows, doors, skylights, electrical, fans, plumbing and more.
All trades done by hands-on General Contractor. Friendly, artistic, intelligent, honest and affordable.
40 years’ experience.
Call Ron Wolfgang Office 480-820-8515
Cell 602-628-9653
Wolfgang Construction Inc.
Licensed & Bonded ROC 124934
LANDSCAPING SERVICES
ALL PRO TREE SERVICE, LLC
Tree Trimming, Tree Removals, Stump Grinding, Monthly Landscape Maintenance, Full Yard Clean Ups, Palm Trees, Deep Root Fertilization, Irrigation, Etc.
Free Estimate, Very Professional, Insured, and Bonded!
Visa & MasterCard Accepted Mention this Ad and Receive 15% off Discount! 480-354-5802 or dennis@allprotrees.com
See Our Ad in the Biz Box Section
AZ HOME & LANDSCAPE SERVICES
Complete landscape and property maintenance Clean-ups, hauling, installation, sprinkler repair, tree care, painting, handyman, etc.
English Speaking Reliable
Free Estimates
Visa/MC Accepted 480-200-9598
REAL ESTATE
BRAND NEW HOMES!
$399/mo.+ space rent.
Seller financing with $500 down, OAC. Best deal in town.
2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Modern Finishes. Call Kim 480-233-2035
HAVE A PROBLEM PROPERTY?
Pre-Foreclosure, Don’t Want, Tired of Tenants CALL 602-688-2829 NOW!!! I can Pay Cash, and Close Quickly I work for investors!!!
TRAVEL
ENOS KING-LEWIS II, AGENT Guide, Producer Fun Trips! Prosperity - Wellness www.Enos4Prosperity.com
800-824-1450 (Call 24/7) enos4homes@hotmail.com
