PHOENIX — A long-anticipated safety and congestion relief project is officially underway on State Route 187, as the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) begins major improvements stretching through the Gila River Indian Community.
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Starting Tuesday, crews will begin construction along a six-mile stretch of SR 187 between SR 87 and SR 387, just east of Interstate 10. Work is scheduled weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with ADOT cautioning that “at times the roadway will be narrowed to a single lane of alternating traffic.” Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and use SR 387 as an alternate route when possible.
The multimillion-dollar effort is designed not just to repave the roadway, but to significantly improve traffic flow and safety for both residents and regional travelers. According to ADOT, key upgrades include:
The project is expected to wrap up by spring 2026, weather and scheduling permitting.
Local drivers, commercial haulers and agricultural transporters heavily rely on SR 187 as a connector between major routes. The corridor has long struggled with bottlenecks and limited passing opportunities — especially during peak commuting and harvest seasons. The addition of shoulder space is also expected to improve safety for disabled vehicles and emergency responders.
Transportation analysts note that these upgrades will also support future growth in the Gila River Indian Community, which has been expanding residential, industrial and tourism development along nearby corridors. Enhanced turn lanes and drainage infrastructure should reduce crash risks at key intersections that have historically seen high traffic conflicts.
ADOT says the improvements are part of a broader statewide strategy to modernize rural connectors that support regional commerce while meeting the needs of tribal and local communities.
Originally reported by KTAR News.
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