Housing Growth and Increasing Traffic Challenges in Hidden Valley
Housing construction along Papago Road in Hidden Valley has accelerated, and with it vehicle traffic. The rapid growth is creating a dilemma similar to what nearby Maricopa has faced: traffic levels are not yet high enough to trigger major safety upgrades, but waiting risks serious congestion once the new subdivisions fill.
Current Traffic Conditions and Safety Measures
Residents and officials point to State Route 347 as a warning of how quickly demand can outpace infrastructure. Local leaders say they are attempting to address problems before they worsen, but the scale of planned homebuilding makes outcomes uncertain.
Today, the intersection of Papago Road and SR 347 operates as a one-way stop, with eastbound drivers required to stop before turning onto the highway. Last week, crews added a dashed yellow left-turn guide line and patched potholes inside the junction to improve safety and drivability in the short term.
Warnings from County Officials
County Supervisor Rich Vitiello (R-Maricopa) warned that the situation is deteriorating. “The bottom line is that the traffic ...