MAG News

Springing up from farmland in the Southeast Valley, the Town of Gilbert has seen its share of success and is now one of the most popular places in the region to live, work, and play. Popularity also means more vehicles on the road and a greater need to keep up with increased traffic demands.

Thanks to Proposition 400, the dedicated half-cent sales tax for transportation renewed by voters in 2004, Gilbert has been able to keep one important stretch of road flowing smoothly. 

From Patchwork of Lanes to Cohesive Corridor

Less than 10 years ago, the two-mile stretch of Germann Road from Gilbert Road to Val Vista Drive was a patchwork of lanes—two in some areas and six in others. Now, it is a corridor with six lanes, a raised median, bike lanes, sidewalks, and lighting.

The benefits go even further. The roadway expansion project, funded through Proposition 400, Maricopa County’s dedicated half-cent sales tax for transportation, also completed a break in Gilbert’s fiber network. By closing the gap, the town now has enhanced connectivity and can better manage traffic flows.

Safety for Pedestrians and Cyclists

Improved access to one of the Valley’s major freeways is good for everyone in the area. However, for this project, it was important for people to get around safely without vehicles. Gilbert took the opportunity to complete sidewalks throughout the corridor and added designated bike lanes. Before the project, the sidewalks and bike lanes were intermittent, much like the inconsistency in number of vehicle lanes.

Easier Access to Loop 202

The project included improvements to Lindsay Road between Germann Road and Loop 202. For those who don’t drive in that part of the Valley very often, Lindsay Road sits halfway between Gilbert Road and Val Vista Drive. Having an extra access point to Loop 202 helps move traffic. 

“It’s hard to separate the impact Germann made versus the addition of the Lindsay interchange as they occurred in close proximity while traffic volumes were still normalizing after Covid,” said Aaron Pinkerton, a town traffic engineer for Gilbert.

“Both the Val Vista and Lindsay interchanges are heavily used. I would say Germann road improvements strongly support the Lindsay/202 interchange, allowing traffic to better utilize both interchanges,” Pinkerton added.