Gilbert moves forward on new Loop 202 exit, expanding future jobs hub
Becca Smouse
Gilbert leaders have proposed a new Loop 202 interchange at Lindsay Road to alleviate congested traffic as the town's business district continues to develop.
The area is home to business parks, shopping and car dealerships. And town leaders say the area is set for greater growth.
“There’s a lot more to come,” Town Engineer David Fabiano said.
Gilbert and consultants have been working on the initial designs for the project since 2015. They are nearing completion of a design report that would require approval from state highway officials.
The report should go to the Arizona Department of Transportation this fall and could be approved within six months after that. From there, town officials will work to create a detailed design and a construction timeline.
Gilbert already is improving nearby Germann and Pecos roads in anticipation of the new interchange.
Growing traffic congestion
Traffic along Gilbert's stretch of Loop 202 has been increasing, particularly in the areas of Val Vista Drive and Gilbert Road.
A 2013 study showed more than 60,000 vehicles use Gilbert Road exits along the 202 on an average week day. Between 47,000 and 57,000 vehicles used the Val Vista Drive exits, while traffic on Lindsay Road near the Loop 202 only saw about 14,000 vehicles daily.
The Gilbert Town Council and ADOT officials agreed: An additional interchange was warranted.
Gilbert leaders recommend a diamond traffic interchange at Lindsay Road.
“That diamond traffic interchange is similar to most of the interchanges that you see along the State Route 202, along the San Tan Corridor," Gilbert Transportation Planning Manager Kristin Myers said.
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The proposed interchange would redistribute traffic overflowing Val Vista Drive and Gilbert Road, nearly doubling the amount of daily weekday traffic on Lindsay Road, according to a town-conducted traffic study in 2016.
The town's draft design report will be reviewed by project stakeholders, such as SRP, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the city of Chandler. Town officials also hosted several open houses to gather residents' feedback.
"I think it's a good idea," said Nelson Caceres, a Gilbert resident who attended one of the forums. "I was wondering when they were going to do something about all of that congestion."
Some residents who live along Lindsay Road are not looking forward to the anticipated construction, but agree the interchange will alleviate growing traffic.
"Inevitable," said Jim Smith, who lives near the proposed Lindsay Road exit. "When we moved here five years ago, we wondered why there wasn't one there already."
A growing jobs hub
Along with alleviating traffic congestion, the Lindsay Road exit would funnel traffic into Gilbert’s growing Central Business District.
The area along the Loop 202 includes the 202 Business Park, Shoppes at Val Vista and Rivulon, a $50 million development near Lindsay Road and Loop 202.
Rivulon's newest four-story office building is nearing capacity, and two more 60,000-square-foot office buildings are under construction. Existing companies in the 250-acre mixed-use development include Isagenix's headquarters, a Mercedes-Benz dealership and several restaurants.
Since 2012, roughly $389 million of private investment has gone into the Central Business District. The area is only going to get denser as more office space continues to develop, according to Jen Graves, deputy director of economic development for the town.
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Graves said the town is focused on attracting industries such as aerospace and defense, higher-end manufacturing, health care and research, along with creating space to fill the growing demand for creative office space.
“We’re such a young, growing community, (Gilbert residents) may not be aware that we have a corridor like that,” said Leah Rhineheimer, assistant to the town manager.
The area is predicted to nearly triple in employee growth as new businesses continue to move in, Graves said, becoming one of the largest employment hubs in the town.
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