Arizona SR 24

[swbrotha100]

Little story (with some construction photos) of SR 24, the future Gateway Freeway.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/mesa/article_74960834-9355-11e2-9b89-001a4bcf887a.html?mode=story

[mapman1071]

24? odd number, should be AZ360 since the planed Eastern Terminus is at Superstition Freeway - US 60 near Exit 212 AZ 79 in Florence Junction - Queen Valley

[AsphaltPlanet]

Is there any logic to Arizona's route numbering scheme?

And I thought that AZ-24 was going to run southerly to meet I-10, or is that a different freeway that shoots off Highway 24?

[NE2]

Is there any logic to Arizona's route numbering scheme?

Yes, but 24 doesn't follow it. Neither do 50 and 51.

[national highway 1]

Is there any logic to Arizona's route numbering scheme?

Yes, but 24 doesn't follow it. Neither do 50 and 51.

Might be a clustering system with 3 digit routes usually having an extra spur digit.
I wonder why Arizona seems to avoid using numbers lower than 60 and most of their two digit routes being between 61 and 99...

[The High Plains Traveler]

Is there any logic to Arizona's route numbering scheme?

Yes, but 24 doesn't follow it. Neither do 50 and 51.

Might be a clustering system with 3 digit routes usually having an extra spur digit.
I wonder why Arizona seems to avoid using numbers lower than 60 and most of their two digit routes being between 61 and 99...

The original route layout from the 1930s was just that: two digit numbers starting at 61 (avoiding any U.S. numbers in that range) up to 99, and 3-digit routes using parent route numbering (e.g., 187, 287, 387 off 87). I've never seen a good reason why they just didn't start at 1 or 10. They haven't been strictly following this system the past 20 years or so, establishing 3-digit numbers with no relationship to the adjoining route and starting to use numbers below 60. When only a few new routes are added per decade, it's difficult to see where Arizona is going with their numbering system, but besides 24 there is also a planned 30 in the Phoenix area.

[kurumi]

Is there any logic to Arizona's route numbering scheme?

Yes, but 24 doesn't follow it. Neither do 50 and 51.

Might be a clustering system with 3 digit routes usually having an extra spur digit.
I wonder why Arizona seems to avoid using numbers lower than 60 and most of their two digit routes being between 61 and 99...

They were saving 11 thru 59 for their (now dormant) plans for reunification with Utah (similar to South Korean routes 70-99 set aside).

[Alps]

Is there any logic to Arizona's route numbering scheme?

Yes, but 24 doesn't follow it. Neither do 50 and 51.

Might be a clustering system with 3 digit routes usually having an extra spur digit.
I wonder why Arizona seems to avoid using numbers lower than 60 and most of their two digit routes being between 61 and 99...

They were saving 11 thru 59 for their (now dormant) plans for reunification with Utah (similar to South Korean routes 70-99 set aside).

It's not April 1.

[sandiaman]

    Arizona reserved highway  route  numbers  from 1-59,  for tribal  and  forest service only.  You can  thank  Barry Goldwater  for  that.

[The High Plains Traveler]

    Arizona reserved highway  route  numbers  from 1-59,  for tribal  and  forest service only.  You can  thank  Barry Goldwater  for  that.

I have a 1932 Arizona map showing the 61+ numbering system. Barry Goldwater was 23 that year and held no office, certainly would not have had influence on state highway numbering (he just took over the family department store business).

[agentsteel53]

I have a 1932 Arizona map showing the 61+ numbering system. Barry Goldwater was 23 that year and held no office, certainly would not have had influence on state highway numbering (he just took over the family department store business).

that numbering system dates to 1927, IIRC.  so yeah, definitely before Barry Goldwater.

I have heard that the reason for it is because they wanted to have a grid that had similar numbers to the US system.  the lowest-numbered US route in Arizona was US-60, so they started from there.

as for 51, I dunno why that is used, but it does kinda fit the grid.  I had always thought of it as "half of a loop road" so half of the 101, 202, etc designation.  (and 50.5 would be really silly!)

it's silly, but not quite as silly as 143, which is just named after the Federal Aid project number.

as for 24/30/50, I'm not sure why but it seems like the precedent now is to go downwards.  there's also a proposed 48, nowhere near Phoenix - dunno what the rationale of that one is.

[swbrotha100]

I don't think it would have hurt ADOT to keep SR 51 as SR 510. At least the loops (101, 202, 303) make some sense.

[NE2]

SR 51 may come from the brief existence of I-510: http://www.kurumi.com/roads/3di/i510.html

[Max Rockatansky]

My plane flew over the entirety of the constructed part of Arizona State Route 24.  Seemed like an opportunity to do something regarding the Gateway Freeway corridor on our page:

https://www.gribblenation.org/2023/06/arizona-state-route-24.html

[splashflash]

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/pinal/2025/03/27/state-route-24-expansion/82637079007/

What is going on with the State Road 24 extension?

"State Road 24 is planned to be extended 10 miles east of Ironwood Drive and connect to U.S. 60 as a connector for residents and a potential truck route that could help commercial drivers.

"Funding for the extension remains in limbo with no state or local funding identified to pay for the multi-million-dollar project.

"Pinal County has submitted for grants twice for funding of the Central Arizona Parkway and State Route 24 during President Joe Biden's administration, but was unsuccessful.

LG Energy Solutions will be a major employer for the area and is anticipated to hire 2,800 employees in phase one. Phase two will add another 850 employees

"It's the first major employer announced on more than 4,100 acres of state trust land Queen Creek annexed in 2019. The town is planning that area to be a hub for manufacturing jobs to serve the growing population in Pinal County.

"Pinal County traffic studies looked at projected daily vehicle trips along the streets south of State Route 24 and found that without the planned highway, the service levels would be at failing capacity or at gridlock.

[The Ghostbuster]

When AZ 24 is eventually extended eastward, will it be built similar to existing AZ 24 (with frontage roads at interchanges but no grade separations)? Of course, there is nothing between Ironwood Rd. and US 60, so some connecting roads would have to be built.

[kdk]

I was looking at one of the articles on the future funding.  https://www.santanvalley.com/news/pinal-county-news/future-of-state-route-24-extension-uncertain-amid-funding-roadblocks

First time I saw there's a planned interchange with a Loop 505 now as well, see map in article.

[KeithE4Phx]

I was looking at one of the articles on the future funding.  https://www.santanvalley.com/news/pinal-county-news/future-of-state-route-24-extension-uncertain-amid-funding-roadblocks

First time I saw there's a planned interchange with a Loop 505 now as well, see map in article.

I don't think that proposed freeway has an official number yet.  On one map, it's an extension of AZ 88 (Freeway on one end, dirt road on the other).  Others show Loop 505.  I heard one rumor a few years back that it could be an extension of I-19 (highly unlikely).  It might even get a low two-digit state highway number like AZ 24 and the proposed AZ 30.  I guess we'll find out in due time if it is to be built at all.

[The Ghostbuster]

They didn't skip Loop 404. That designation is reserved for the future White Tank Freeway: https://web.archive.org/web/20130412105719/http://interstate11.org/documents/Interstate-11.pdf.