Proposed E.V. freeway might not get built

In a last-minute sweep of funds to balance the state budget, the Legislature jeopardized the proposed Williams Gateway Freeway in the East Valley, according to Mesa leaders.

The Legislature took $20 million that had been appropriated for designing the planned state Route 802 from Mesa to Florence Junction in Pinal County, as part of a solution to cover the state’s $1.6 billion budget gap this fiscal year.

Lawmakers targeted $104 million from STAN, an account set aside for transportation infrastructure development needs. The 802 freeway money was allocated in 2006 from that account.

Mesa intergovernmental relations director Scott Butler said the city will now focus on the state’s next budget in order to find a funding source. Officials are also looking at the federal stimulus package as one option.

Even before the final decision, Mesa Mayor Scott Smith had gone so far as to say that the reality is taking this money away could mean that the freeway won’t get built.

Butler had earlier told the Mesa City Council that the city should obligate the money as soon as possible, to prevent it from being swept by the Legislature. But it wasn’t anticipated that a decision on the STAN account would be taken to help tide over this fiscal year’s shortfall.

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