Road improvements reduce traffic noise

The smell of tar and the sound of jackhammers are filling the air this spring around Sun City.

Road construction projects are in full swing and roads are being restricted to accommodate the work.

Santa Fe Drive, between 99th and 103rd avenues, has been milled and rubberized asphalt is being laid in its place. Work began last week on that project and is expected to last until striping is completed within the next week, Maricopa County Department of Transportation spokeswoman Roberta Crowe said.

Thunderbird Boulevard between 103rd and 107th avenues also is receiving a new surface. That project should be wrapped up by the end of the weekend, Crowe said.

Both projects were done to reduce traffic noise.

The resurfacing of Thunderbird isn't the only work taking place along the road. From 91st Avenue, east to Loop 101 Thunderbird is being widened.

To accommodate the construction, especially the widening of the bridge over the New River, lanes have been restricted.

Lights have been re-timed to allow traffic to flow more fluidly through intersections, resulting in less backups and traffic jams, Geoffrey Zinnecker an engineer with the city of Peoria said.

Other planned improvements include a raised landscaped median, a 10-foot sidewalk on the north side, either a 6-foot or 8-foot sidewalk on the south side, and bike lanes from 91st Avenue to Rio Vista Boulevard.

The $14.3 million project began in April and isn't expected to be completed for another year.

Jared Hartung may be reached at 623-876-2513 or jhartung@yourwestvalley.com.