Transportation
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lue skies, warm weather and recreation may be part of what brought 35,000 more residents to Casa Grande over the last 20 years, but for many of the businesses that came it was something else. Infrastructure. It’s not as much fun to think about as golfing, hiking or biking, but if you are manufacturing electric cars or aviation parts or operating a distribution center that serves markets throughout Arizona, you need to be able to move materials and product in and out. “Because Casa Grande is directly served by Interstate 10, Interstate 8, the main line of the Union Pacific Railroad, has a general aviation airport and will be served by the future Interstate 11, you will not find a betterconnected community in the state,” said Richard Wilkie, Casa Grande’s economic development director. Wilkie said those transportation options are “why so many businesses have chosen to come to Casa Grande, and why so many more are looking at possibly locating here.” Lucid Motors is building electric cars at its new factory on Casa Grande’s west side. The area is served by Union Pacific Railroad and is home to some of Casa Grande’s largest employers, including Walmart and Tractor Supply Distribution Centers, Hexcel (longtime maker of key aircraft components), Frito-Lay and Abbott Nutrition. Last year UP “improved several sidings in Arizona to accommodate future growth,” said Tim McMahan, a UP spokesman. Casa Grande Municipal Airport is another transportation option that serves the City and its growth. Airport Manager Dave Reffner said the airport’s master plan is being updated for future development.
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“As businesses continue to build in Casa Grande, airport operations increase with some of those projects,” Reffner said. “(The airport) has noticed an uptick in corporate and business aviation traffic, especially since the construction of Lucid Motors.” The interstate highways also support Casa Grande’s growth as a destination for businesses and people. Right now, I-11 is still just a proposal with no funding and could be years or decades away from being built. However, work to widen I-10 between Casa Grande and Chandler could begin as early as 2023, according to the state’s most recent five-year highway construction plan. Casa Grande is studying how to further use infrastructure and transportation to its advantage not only to attract more growth, but to serve residents. The City finished a transit plan in 2019. Now, the City is updating and expanding the plan and studying funding options. The City is also working to improve traffic flow on its streets. “As Casa Grande continues to experience tremendous growth, there is going to be an increased need for mass transit,” Wilkie said. Public transportation will make it easier for employees to get to work and for people to shop and make appointments. It will “improve the connectivity of the community, helping to bring us closer together and enhance our quality of life,” he said. The transit plan will include a system of routes that transit vehicles (similar to buses but smaller) will travel each day. Planners are also incorporating ride-share and ride-hail services, said Kevin Louis, Casa Grande’s director of public works.
CITY OF CASA GRANDE · THINKCASAGRANDE.COM
