The proposed interchange type, a Tight Diamond Interchange (TDI), will be similar to intersections in the Valley, such as the I-10 and Perryville Road as well as I-10 and Verrado Way interchanges. It will not be similar to the Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) recently constructed at the Watson Rd interchange.
At a Jan. 23 meeting, the Arizona Department of Transportation allowed citizens to talk with project managers, city of Buckeye officials and ADOT representatives. ADOT has proposed a traffic interchange project to reconstruct Interstate 10 to support safety, reduce congestion, enhance mobility, and increase access at the Jackrabbit Trail interchange.
The project extends from south of McDowell Road to north of Van Buren Street, with the primary objective of optimizing traffic flow and safety at the Jackrabbit Trail interchange. Key enhancements will include the reconstruction of the interchange, the installation of traffic signals and additional turn lanes, ramp widening and the expansion of Jackrabbit Trail to three lanes in each direction between McDowell Road and Van Buren Street.
Currently, in the preliminary design stage, the TI project is anticipated to take 15 to 18 months to complete. The preliminary estimated construction cost is $90 million. ADOT will hold an additional public informational meeting at 60% design phase.
Nikki Green, ADOT community relations supervisor, assured community members of ADOT’s commitment to minimizing disruptions and ensuring smooth traffic flow during the construction phase.
“The intent is to maintain traffic along Jackrabbit and I-10 during construction; however, there may be occasional nightly or weekend closures of Jackrabbit Trail at I-10 for existing bridge removal and erecting the new bridge girders,” Green said.
Voters will have a final say on whether the project goes forward with a measure to approve funding on the November ballot as part of the Regional Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Investment Plan. If approved, construction is expected to commence in second quarter 2026.
The proposed design plan includes a full acquisition of Chevron along with a partial acquisition of Homes Direct of Buckeye on the northeast corner of Jackrabbit Trail and I-10. ADOT representative Diana Mann clarified that decisions regarding the remaining land will be determined by property owners’ choices. Jagjit Girn, owner of the Chevron station, said he was opposed to the project and questioned why his business had to be affected. “The Chevron has been in the community for 25 years. Why is the family-owned gas station being taken out?” Girn asked.
ADOT project manager Olivier Mirza addressed these concerns, emphasizing the project’s commitment to improving overall traffic conditions. “Unfortunately, the reason we are acquiring that property is because it will have no more direct access from Jackrabbit. If we eliminate any access to that particular property, we will have to acquire it,” Mirza said.
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