Twenty-Four Lane Stretch of I-10 in the Near Future?

An interconnected highway network gives rise to commerce and ease of travel for area residents; this also bodes well for Arizona when travelers frequent the area. In 2004, constituents voted to pass another Prop 400 1/2 cent sales tax to further fund county highways and provide widening and maintenance services. This brought the city sales tax from 2 percent to 2.5 percent, while the total sales tax - including county and state - would rise to 9.6 percent. Utilizing this renewed revenue stream, Phoenix was able to also implement a largely successful Light Rail system through the core of the city, which has plans for further expansion in the near future. At this time, Phoenix is nearly at critical mass when it comes to further construction of freeways within the core. So excessive became our needs that the ‘Broadway Curve’ as it is known in the Valley was under consideration for being widened to 24 lanes (to which many cried foul) where existing lanes would be complimented by outer six lanes only allowing access to adjacent arterial roads in Tempe. A renewed urban mindset however, with efforts in the downtown area thriving, could give rise to an increased interest by Phoenicians to further embrace ideas regarding mass transit. Although not the most swift method, the Light Rail, especially if expanded, has potential to carry thousands per day and move our working class citizens away from the freeways and towards a sustainable and more reliable transportation system.