A New Freeway for the East Valley? Here’s What You Should Know About SR-505

by Jessica Vukobratovich

If you live in Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Florence, or anywhere in the far East Valley — you’ve probably felt the traffic strain. The I-10 is packed, the 60 gets slammed, and getting south to Tucson or even across to I-10 isn’t exactly smooth.

Well, there’s something in the works that could change that… eventually.

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is planning a brand-new freeway called State Route 505 — or the North-South Corridor — and they’re officially moving forward with public input and environmental studies to figure out where and how to build it.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening, why it matters, and what to expect.

So What Exactly Is SR-505?

This is a proposed freeway that would run from US-60 in Apache Junction all the way down to I-10 in Eloy, creating a full north-to-south route that bypasses the traffic mess on I-10. It would connect the East Valley to places like Florence, Casa Grande, and Tucson in a much more direct way.

ADOT is currently studying a 31-mile segment (Segment 2) between northern Florence and Eloy, while the northern section near Apache Junction is in a separate phase.

Why This Could Be a Big Deal

If this gets built, it could seriously change the game for people living in the East Valley and Pinal County. Here's why:

Less traffic on I-10 during peak hours
More direct access to Tucson from Queen Creek, San Tan, and Apache Junction
Better infrastructure to support the rapid population growth in Pinal County (projected to hit 800,000 by 2040)
Stronger connections for business, commuting, and travel throughout the region

Let’s be real — we’ve all seen the East Valley explode in growth. But the freeway system hasn’t exactly kept up. This project could be a step in the right direction.

But Here’s the Catch…

Don’t get too excited just yet — we’re still early in the process.

Right now, ADOT is doing a Tier 2 Environmental Study — basically narrowing down where the freeway would go within a pre-approved corridor.
The public is being asked to weigh in during August (more on that below).
There’s no construction date yet, and these kinds of projects can take years (even decades) before they’re fully complete.
Only Segment 2 is being studied — not the full route from Apache Junction to Eloy.

So while it’s promising, it’s not happening overnight.

Upcoming Public Meetings

If you want to share your thoughts or learn more, ADOT is hosting two public meetings:

Wednesday, August 7 @ Florence High School Gymnasium
Monday, August 12 @ Santa Cruz Valley Union High School Auditorium

These meetings are a chance for residents to speak up about traffic, growth, and how this freeway could impact the area.

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to ignore these kinds of updates when they feel so far out… but this is one of those projects that could quietly reshape how the East Valley moves.

It won’t fix traffic tomorrow. But it is a sign that ADOT sees what’s coming — and is finally trying to prepare for it.

If you live or do business anywhere near Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Apache Junction, or Florence, this project is worth paying attention to.

I'll keep an eye on it and share updates as things move forward.

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Want to be the first to know when major projects like this drop? Follow along — I’m here to keep you in the loop on what’s coming to the East Valley and how it impacts your life, your home, and your time.