![Crews worked to clear an overturned semi-truck that blocked all westbound lanes of Interstate 10 near Verrado Way in Buckeye Thursday morning. [AZDPS]](https://inbuckeye.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/G21YHWSa8AADTg5-1024x580.jpg)
City of Buckeye officials are urging residents to pressure state legislators to keep funding in the state budget for a widening project along Interstate 10 through Buckeye.
The $146 million plan would increase traffic capacity from Citrus Road to State Route 85 by adding a High Occupancy Vehicle travel lane, as well as adding a concrete median barrier and lighting where applicable, according to the City of Buckeye.
Buckeye Gov. Eric Orsborn said his office was recently alerted by local legislators that funding for the project might be eliminated or delayed.
“I think our legislators understand that this is an incredibly important project,” said Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsorn. “And so they alerted us to it. … What we have to do is alert the community and make sure that the community has the opportunity to at least let the governor‘s office and legislators know that this is an incredibly important project.”
Orsborn said because I-10 is the “main artery of commerce that goes back-and-forth to California” it’s valuable to the entire West Valley economy.
“When you’re experiencing delays going both eastbound and westbound – and actually that happens at all hours of the day – it’s incredibly important that we fight for the funding for that freeway project, that it remains in place,” Orsborn said.
The city has already begun preparing for the project with work on interchanges through the area - the most notable of which is Exit 121 at Jackrabbit Trail, where major reconstruction will see improved traffic flow from West Indian School Road south to McDowell Road and beyond.
In 2023, the Legislature approved $108 million for the project, initially planned for 2025, but the funding was pushed back to 2028, “marking the first delay in advancing these critical improvements,” according to city officials.
Since the original cost estimate, construction costs have risen, estimated now to $146 million.
State officials representing Buckeye and the surrounding area this year have accelerated the proposed funding schedule, appropriating $133 million over three fiscal years (2026 - 2028), according to Buckeye City officials.
The current state funding schedule is as follows:
- Fiscal Year 2026: $27 million
- Fiscal Year 2027: $30 million
- Fiscal Year 2028: $76 million
Additionally, Buckeye and the Maricopa Association of Governments have committed a combined $10 million in local and regional funding toward the project.
Local legislators
- Sen. Brian Fernandez, D-23, [email protected]
- Rep. Timothy M Dunn, R-25, 602-926-4139, [email protected]
- Rep. Michael Carbone, R-25, 602-926-4038, [email protected]
- Rep. Nickolas Scott Kupper, R-25, [email protected]
- Rep. Michele Peña, R-23, 602-926-3696, [email protected]
- Rep. Mariana Sandoval, D-23, 602-926-3740, [email protected]
One Response
Why does it seem no one in Az planning knows prodject management . Build roads first then communities.
You’re trying to build around the traffic .
Which causes all the issues .
If they would build the roads and then start your communities around the traffic flow you would have no issues . Travel to other large cities or travel to Europe .