I was already planning on doing a blog post about the Loop 303/Bell Rd intersection work that began a week or two ago when I ran across the following presentation the ADOT (Arizona Department of Transportation) had made to the Sun City Grand homeowners association.

http://www.grandinfo.com/ddocc/bellrdand303intersectionscgmeeting.pdf

While road construction is never fun to have to deal with, these improvements will no doubt save lives. With the continued growth of the Surprise Arizona area and beyond out to Sun City Festival this intersection has become increasingly congested and more dangerous. More than once in the last year someone has been killed crossing over Loop 303, evidenced by the crosses and flowers at the side of the road.

Sometime in May one of the representatives of the ADOT came to our office to tell us about the work being planned for Loop 303. Most of the work up to this point was being done north of Sun City Grand. He let us know at that time they were going to begin work on the Bell Rd/Loop 303 intersection. We were told they would be doing a temporary overpass that would alleviate congestion during rush hour traffic times while making room for the bigger changes to Loop 303 coming down the road (no pun intended).

Of course the proposed work concerned the residents of Sun City Grand just as future work will undoubtedly impact Sun City West & Corte Bella residents. All along the way ADOT has been forthcoming with answers to questions and concerns. Growth is inevitable and the Loop 303 will one day be a welcome, and much improved, connection between I-17 up North and I-10 to the South.

Click on the following links for more information
http://www.azdot.gov/Highways/valley_freeways/Loop_303/North/index.asp
http://www.azdot.gov/Highways/Valley_Freeways/Loop_303/North/meetings_notices.asp#notices