Big Changes Coming to State Route 24: What It Means for East Valley Drivers

by Jessica Vukobratovich

Big Win for Commuters: SR 24 Is Getting Widened (Finally)

If you’ve ever sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic trying to get from Queen Creek or San Tan Valley into Phoenix, then you know the pain of State Route 24. It’s the only freeway connecting the far southeast Valley to the rest of the Phoenix freeway system — and during rush hour, it turns into a standstill.

But here's the good news: SR 24 is finally getting some much-needed love.

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has officially approved a major widening project as part of its five-year plan — and it’s going to make a huge difference for daily drivers.

What’s Actually Happening?

This project will widen SR 24, which runs from Ironwood Road in Queen Creek to Loop 202 just north of Mesa Gateway Airport. Here’s what’s in store:

4 lanes in each direction between Loop 202 and Williams Field Road (the most congested stretch).
3 lanes in each direction between Williams Field and Ironwood.
New bridges over Williams Field, Crismon, Signal Butte, and Meridian roads.

Basically, it’s a full-on freeway upgrade — the kind this part of the Valley has needed for years.

Why This Matters

SR 24 already handles over 60,000 drivers a day, and by 2043, that number’s expected to jump by another 20,000. Without this project, all that traffic would be forced onto surface streets that just aren’t built to handle it. That means even more congestion, frustration, and unsafe conditions.

This is a major win for Queen Creek and San Tan Valley commuters who’ve been stuck with limited options for way too long.

When Will Construction Start?

ADOT plans to break ground in late 2029 or 2030. No official end date has been announced yet, and the total cost for the widening project is over $152 million.

There’s also talk of one day extending SR 24 even further east to connect with US 60 in Pinal County, but that project isn’t funded yet — so no timeline on that.

Final Thoughts

This is a big step in the right direction for the fast-growing communities on the east side of the Valley. While it’s still a few years out, knowing it’s officially in the plan is a relief for a lot of local families and commuters.

Curious how this might affect home values, new builds, or future development in Queen Creek or San Tan Valley?
I’m always happy to break it down for you — just shoot me a message or reach out anytime.