Arizona gets FHWA approval for new six-lane freeway

A 16-mile stretch of Loop 303 about 20 miles west of downtown Phoenix has received approval from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to be completed as a six-lane freeway, KNXV-TV ABC15 in Phoenix reported.

The Loop 303 segment currently has two or four lanes and runs from I-10 to U.S. 60.

"The full build-out of the 303 will transform the economic and transportation picture in the West Valley," said Surprise City Manager Randy Oliver. "The freeway will create immense potential for business development along the route, bring new jobs to our region, and improve local and regional transportation."

FHWA approval allows the Arizona Department of Transportation to complete design and initial construction of the project. The new freeway will include 15 traffic interchanges, interchanges at I-10 and a proposed Northern Parkway and drainage improvements. Future expansion could take the freeway to 10 lanes.