Updated 9/30/2024 

The following information is provided related to upcoming construction schedule and sequencing; however, please remember construction schedules can be impacted by many variables to include resources, scheduling, and weather.

Preloading & Abutments: Crews are currently conducting significant earthwork activities to prepare for construction of the bridges. As part of the preparatory activities, crews are excavating and "preloading" to prepare the area for the loads of the future bridges. This takes place through importing materials, compacting, and monitoring those over a period of approximately 30 days to meet quality standards. While preloading continues, scheduled to begin the week of Sept. 30, crews will begin work to construct the first abutment, located on the west side of Structure #3, as well as the pier columns for the Ocotillo/Park Bridge. (see diagram below)

Work has also been taking place to construct the temporary accessways needed during construction for haul trucks to be able to access the site from Ocotillo Road.

Drilled Pier Shafts: Crews are also working to tie rebar cages for upcoming drilled pier shaft work. Work is expected to begin the week of Sept. 30 to drill pier shafts as part of the support structure for the bridges. There are approximately 96 drilled pier shafts for the project, each ranging from approximately 60 - 70 feet deep. Once drilled, the rebar cage can be inserted, and the pier shaft filled with concrete.

Retaining Walls: Crews are currently excavating to construct concrete footings for retaining walls on the west side of the RWCD Canal, between the canal and Freeman Farms HOA. Concrete work will follow installation of the footings.

SRP Relocations: Scheduled to begin the week of Sept. 23, SRP crews will be relocating power poles on the north side of Ocotillo Road, east of Greenfield Road to accommodate the road improvements. New poles will be installed, and cable relocated from the existing poles to the new poles, after which the existing poles can be removed.

Access to residences and businesses is being maintained.

Click here to view the current bridge designs.

Public meetings were held on Nov. 2, 2022 and Jan. 17, 2024 for the community to learn about the project and provide their feedback. Exhibits from those meetings and current design concepts are available below. 

Ocotillo Road Rollplot Plan View - December 2023 
Ocotillo Road Rollplot Typical Sections - December 2023 
Ocotillo Road Rollplot Plan View - November 2022
Ocotillo Road Rollplot Typical Sections - November 2022

How will the project mitigate or minimize light into the residential area?
Street lighting will be provided along Ocotillo Road per the Town of Gilbert Public Works and Engineering Standards. If an adjacent resident has issues with a new streetlight that has been constructed near their residence, they can contact the Town to inquire about installing a shield to limit the amount of light that spills onto adjacent property. Aesthetic lighting for the bridge over the Chandler Heights Regional Basin (planned as a future phase of the Gilbert Regional Park) will not affect light levels in nearby communities due to its proximity to residential areas. This lighting will also be adjustable and allow the light to be dimmed at certain times of day based on the operational hours of the park.

How will the planned trails connect to other trails, or what opportunities will the new trails provide in connecting to other existing trails?
The Town is currently pursuing rights to allow pedestrians to use portions of the Roosevelt Conservation District Canal, Eastern Maricopa Floodway and Queen Creek banks as future trail amenities. The current design for this project will easily accommodate future connections to these facilities if an agreement can be reached with each agency.

How will the project mitigate or minimize noise related to traffic/park activities?
Traffic noise was studied as a part of the project and the results found no noise mitigation is necessary based on the anticipated traffic volumes. The Gilbert Regional Park operates at certain times of day, including specific timeframes for events held in the park to help mitigate noise generated from park activities.

How much traffic is expected on Ocotillo Rd on a typical day?
Based on the traffic analysis completed for the project it is estimated that 28,000 vehicles per day will use Ocotillo Road within the project limits by the year 2040.

How much traffic is expected on Ocotillo Rd when there are events at the Park?
Traffic on Ocotillo Road will be heavier on event days but only during the usual begin and end times of each event. During events like the 4th of July additional traffic control may be deployed on a case by case basis depending on the expected crowds, to mitigate additional traffic volumes at peak times.

How will traffic volumes change on Higley Rd and/or Greenfield Rd?
With the completion of Ocotillo Road, traffic along Queen Creek Road and Chandler Heights Road will be reduced for a certain period. As with all roadways, however, as time goes on the existing volumes on the adjacent roadways may increase due to normal residential and development growth.

Will there be a traffic signal at Ocotillo Rd and Freeman Farms Rd?
A traffic signal is not being added to the Ocotillo Road and Freeman Farms Road intersection. However, a pedestrian activated crossing is being added approximately 350-feet to the east of Freeman Farms Road to provide a signalized crossing for pedestrians.