STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – The Arizona House of Representatives on Tuesday passed House Bill 2601, sponsored by State Representative Matt Gress, to keep the Interstate 11 study on track and continue work on a major long-term transportation corridor for Arizona. The bill now heads to the Senate.

HB 2601 requires the Arizona Department of Transportation to request federal segmentation of the Interstate 11 project between Interstate 10 at Casa Grande and Wickenburg as a segment of independent utility. It also requires ADOT to complete the environmental reviews and obtain any federal or state approvals required for that segment in accordance with federal law and Federal Highway Administration guidance. After federal approval is granted, ADOT must begin any required Tier 2 environmental and engineering study for construction within three months.

The bill is part of the House Republican Majority’s transportation agenda to reduce congestion, improve safety, strengthen freight movement, and keep infrastructure aligned with Arizona’s rapid growth.

“Arizona is growing, freight is increasing, and traffic is not getting any lighter,” said Representative Matt Gress, sponsor of HB 2601. “This bill keeps a major corridor from stalling out in process and delay. House Republicans are working to expand capacity, improve mobility, and make sure Arizona has the highway system needed to support growth across the state.”

House Republicans have backed major transportation investments across Arizona, including widening I-10 between Casa Grande and Chandler, widening SR 347 in Pinal County, expanding I-10 in the West Valley, and improvements at the I-17 and Loop 303 interchange.

Interstate 11 is intended to serve as a north-south corridor linking Phoenix, Tucson, and Las Vegas, with long-term value for regional connectivity, freight movement, and economic activity.

Matt Gress is a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives serving Legislative District 4 in Phoenix and is Chairman of the House Committee on Education. Follow him on X at @MatthewGress.