APACHE JUNCTION, AZ — The Apache Junction City Council wants to take over Idaho Road from the state. Right now, State Route 88, known locally as Idaho Road, is controlled by the Arizona Department of Transportation. Because the road is controlled by ADOT, the city must go through the state to make changes such as signal timing adjustments or other improvements. The council voted 7-0 Tuesday to direct staff to approach ADOT about transferring that control to the city.
City Manager Bryant Powell confirmed he had already spoken with an ADOT official before the meeting. That official said ADOT has completed similar transfers with other Arizona cities and towns. However, no boundaries, costs, or timelines have been established. Staff will return to the council with options before any final decision is made.
What SR-88 / Idaho Road Looks Like Today
Within Apache Junction, State Route 88 runs north from U.S. Highway 60 through the city’s downtown corridor before continuing toward the city limits. The stretch includes five traffic signals. It also passes the city’s roundabout before extending further east toward Lost Dutchman.
A Traffic Light, a Doctor’s Appointment, and a Broader Problem
Councilmember Darryl Cross said the effort grew from a personal experience. Several months ago, he was driving his wife to an eye doctor’s appointment when they encountered the intersection of Old West Highway and Idaho Road.
He said it took four light cycles to clear the intersection. The green phase lasted long enough for only three or four vehicles at a time. Cross reached out to city staff, who told him the signal was ADOT’s responsibility. He said the agency needed two to three weeks to respond.
When Cross returned to the same intersection two weeks later to pick up his wife’s eyeglasses, he said conditions were not quite as bad as the first time, but the problem persisted. Additionally, he raised a broader concern. Housing projects are on the horizon, he said, and the city has not had control of SR-88 since it became a city. In response, he asked staff to explore whether an intergovernmental agreement with the state was possible. Powell confirmed that multiple council members had contacted him in recent weeks asking to place the item on the agenda.
Which Section of the Road Is Under Discussion
Council members expressed different views on how much of the road they would like the city to eventually pursue. The actual scope will depend on discussions with ADOT. Staff will research options and return with a formal proposal.
Councilmember Peter Heck said the road runs through the city’s downtown corridor and the city needs to control it. He said he wanted the transfer to cover, at minimum, the stretch from U.S. 60 to the point where SR-88 turns toward the lakes. He added he would prefer the city take it all the way to the city limits.
Councilmember Bryan Soller said he wanted staff to pursue the full section from U.S. 60 to the city limits near the Hitching Post — and to understand what that would cost.
Councilmember Bambi Johnson favored a more staged approach. She said she would like to see the city pursue the section through the roundabout first, while signaling interest in the longer stretch. However, she expressed concern about the condition of the road between the roundabout and Lost Dutchman. She said she would rather ADOT repair that section before any transfer takes place.
City Manager Powell recommended the council look “very, very carefully” at anything north and east of the roundabout. He described that section as more rural in character.
Police Respond to Crashes on a Road They Don’t Own
Police Chief Michael Pooley told the council that Apache Junction officers regularly respond to accidents on SR-88, even though the roadway technically falls under state jurisdiction.
“It’s not our road,” Pooley said, “but if we wait for DPS to come out there and take it, it’s gonna be hours.” He said his officers have stepped in because they don’t want to leave people waiting at an accident scene. He noted the department has responded to several accidents along the corridor, including fatal crashes and other significant collisions within the city’s boundaries.
Financial Considerations and a Maricopa Precedent
Taking jurisdiction would also bring financial responsibilities. Johnson pointed out that the city would take on maintenance and operations for five traffic signals.
City Attorney Stern referenced a precedent from Maricopa. He said that city secured special legislation that directed state money toward road improvements as part of a similar transfer. He said Apache Junction could potentially pursue a similar arrangement.
Powell also offered a cost reference. He said a roundabout cost approximately $5 million five years ago. In today’s dollars, he estimated that figure at around $10 million — and potentially $15 million in future dollars.
Resident Raises Questions About ADOT Timelines and Apartments
During public comment, Apache Junction resident Donna Carr addressed the council on the topic. She said when residents ask the city to set up a barricade, it takes a couple of days. When they ask ADOT, she said, it takes a couple of months. She urged the council to be prepared for slow response times during negotiations.
Carr also raised a concern about development. She noted that a recent apartment proposal along the corridor had been turned down in part because of traffic concerns. She questioned whether an improved road under city control could allow those projects to return. She said she hoped the state would not complete the transfer if that was a possible outcome.
Additionally, Carr challenged the financial logic of paying the state for a road the city would then maintain at its own expense. She argued that since Apache Junction would absorb the ongoing maintenance burden, the transfer should not come at a cost to the city.
Council Directs Staff to Begin Discussions with ADOT
Cross moved to direct staff to initiate discussions and possible negotiations with ADOT for the potential relinquishment and transfer of jurisdiction of a portion of State Route 88 to the City of Apache Junction. Johnson seconded. The council voted 7-0 in favor.
Subsequently, staff will begin research and outreach to ADOT. Loggins said his team will bring options back to council — including potential transfer boundaries, maintenance costs, and capital cost estimates — before any formal agreement is considered.
