ADOT Transfers 23 Miles of US60 to Six Cities

Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is trying to convert a 23-mile stretch of US-60 to local cities. A quick look at a map shows the route transfer may affect the cities of Glendale, Peoria, Sun City, El Mirage and Surprise.

Grand Avenue has long served as a spine of the West Valley, funneling commuters into the Phoenix area and moving freight from the coast and neighboring states.

But the Arizona Department of Transportation is considering a plan to turn over a 23-mile stretch of Grand Avenue, also known as U.S. 60, to the cities. It would no longer be considered a U.S. highway from Phoenix to Surprise.

Some cities along the corridor aren’t taking kindly to the idea, saying such a proposal threatens the avenue’s role as a regional expressway and would leave them with a costly burden of maintaining the road and providing public-safety services.

ADOT has begun a study to examine the possibility of transferring ownership of Grand to the local governments.

Maricopa County and a half-dozen cities, including Phoenix, would be affected.

Tim Tait, a spokesman for ADOT, said the diagonal highway has become more of a main street in recent years as cities have added driveways and stoplights. He said the study will determine the process, costs and potential consequences of moving it from state control to the responsibility of several communities. (emphasis supplied)