Initial Response from County

Dear Josh, Thank you for your detailed email and for taking the time to document your traffic and safety concerns in and around Circle Cross Ranch. Pinal County acknowledges receipt of your email and appreciates the level of effort that went into outlining both immediate and long-term considerations. We apologize for the delay in responding. We'd like to provide some background and clarification regarding this area and the County’s role. According to the original development design documents, Empire Road was planned and constructed as a major collector roadway with an 80-foot right-of-way. The associated traffic impact analysis anticipated that traffic volumes on Empire Road would increase over time, projecting approximately 13,600 vehicles per day at full build-out. That analysis concluded the roadway configuration, noting that some delay is considered acceptable, would have sufficient capacity to accommodate those volumes. The analysis also identified that the intersection of Empire Road and Charbray Road may require signalization in the future, depending on traffic growth and operational conditions. An important assumption in that analysis was the future connection of Skyline Drive to Gantzel Road. Pinal County is actively advancing that project. The Skyline Drive extension is currently in the final design phase, with construction planned to begin in early 2026. Once completed, this connection is expected to reduce reliance on Empire Road and Charbray Road for east–west travel to Gantzel. Pinal County does not have a dark sky ordinance, but it is also important to note that the County does not require street lighting on public roadways. In fact, Pinal County does not own, operate, or maintain any street lights. This is just not something that the County does. Where street lighting does exist, it is typically installed by the original developer and maintained by either a Homeowners Association or a Street Light Improvement District, depending on how the development was established. Earlier this year, Pinal County, in partnership with the Sun Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), completed a countywide Strategic Safety Plan. As part of that effort, signalization or a roundabout at the intersection of Empire Road and Charbray Road was identified as a potential future project. This reflects recognition of the intersection as a location with long-term traffic considerations, subject to funding and jurisdictional coordination. It should be noted that this area lies within the future Town of San Tan Valley limits. As the Town continues to form and assume responsibility for transportation planning, roadway maintenance, etc, decisions regarding roadway classification, traffic calming, lighting, and long-term capital improvements will ultimately be made by the Town. We are in regular communication with the Town and these concerns will be brought to their attention. Thank you, Pinal County Development Services