PHOENIX — Chase Estes, Steadfast Farm Operator, commutes from Gold Canyon to East Mesa every day.

“The growth has been explosive," Estes said.

Neighbors like Estes'—in Apache Junction, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, and south to Eloy—are forced to plan for more daily headaches on the road, as more homes are built east of Phoenix.

“At 7:00 a.m., when we’re starting, it can be a full stop as people are trying to get on to the 60 right there," Estes said.

But a newly planned freeway could significantly relieve traffic for commuters like Estes.

“This is a potential future freeway that would run from the US 60 in Apache Junction all the way down to I-10 in Eloy," said Garin Groff, with the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Plans for the SR 505 freeway east of Downtown Phoenix are in

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