FLORENCE, AZ – In a joint work session on February 10th, Florence town officials and Pinal County representatives discussed plans to expand Hunt Highway, while detailing several challenges ahead for the project.
Deputy Director of Public Works Celeste Garza outlined the project scope: “overall the project sits at about $40 million, 35 million of that is the County’s portion and about about five and a half of that is the town of Florence’s estimated cost.” The project aims to widen Hunt Highway from Magma Road to Franklin. Garza explained this “will get Hunt Highway widened to five Lanes all the way down to the anthem section.”
A key challenge involves right-of-way acquisition. Mayor Keith Eaton emphasized that “at the end of the day the biggest thing that holds up projects like this is right of away.” Managing Director of Development Services Joe Ortiz explained “the existing road goes through a portion of the [Gila River] Community and we’ve been working with them and we at times thought we were already there but there’s there’s been challenges.” In response, Ortiz explained they were “directed by our board to to maybe strategize just a little differently and work with state land for potentially an alternative route.” Garza noted this would mean “taking Hunt Highway off of its existing alignment and go onto state land,” adding it would “add about close to a half mile a little bit over a half mile extra of constructed improvements.”
The timeline remains tentative. Garza indicated “construction we are still planning for next summer,” noting “overall I think it’s going to take about close to two years to build the 5 and a half miles.”
Florence Finance Director Carl Dudding outlined current funding sources, including the Highway User Revenue Fund collecting about $2.3 million per year, the Pinal County gas tax delivering $3 million per year, and development impact fees contributing about $300,000 per year. Among the funding options presented, Dudding noted “a 1% would be 2.4 million” annually in additional revenue. Such a tax increase would require a 60-day notice period, public hearing, and council adoption, with the change taking effect 30 days after adoption.
During public comments, resident Courtney Ramirez stated, “We all know the growth is coming but we have to be smart when safety should always be a priority.” Nancy Scott added, “The concern for our roads needs to be a top priority over and above the income that will be generated to the town of Florence through this Housing Development phase.”
“The scale of investment is significant, with Garza noting “the County’s invested over a hundred million dollars in Hunt Highway.” Mayor Eaton expressed optimism about recent progress, noting discussions between the town and county are “progressing wonderfully.” However, progress will depend on addressing right-of-way acquisition and funding challenges.”
Community Development Director A.J. Monroe provided the most recent timeline update, stating “it’s realistic that it’s more like third quarter early fourth quarter of 2025” for construction to begin. With Garza’s earlier estimate of “about close to two years to build the 5 and a half miles,” completion would extend into late 2027, though the timeline remains dependent on resolving right-of-way acquisition and funding challenges.
