Building Bridges and Closing Bullard Road after Buc-ee’s Opens
Budget plans aim to improve access between north Goodyear, the post office, & Estrella Mountain Ranch, but a potential I-10/Bullard interchange closure after Buc-ee’s opens could disrupt traffic flow.
The City of Goodyear held a budget worksession Monday to discuss its upcoming budget and major transportation projects—plans that could significantly impact residents in Estrella, drivers along Indian School Road, and anyone trying to access Buc-ee’s after it opens.
Several of the proposed projects focus on traffic flow, access, and long-term infrastructure changes tied to anticipated growth in the area.
Here’s a brief review of what was discussed. Be sure to watch the full meeting for full context.
Capital Improvement Program (CIP): Where the Big Money Is Going
Before diving into specific road projects, the City of Goodyear outlined how its Capital Improvement Program (CIP) works and where hundreds of millions of dollars are being allocated.
In Goodyear, any project over $500,000 qualifies for the CIP, excluding vehicles, reimbursements, or items already part of asset replacement programs.
CIP by the Numbers
Transportation: $135.1M
Enterprise: $359.8M
Public Safety: $106.2M
Parks & Ballpark: $99.4M
General Government: $6.1M
City officials emphasized the 5-year CIP is fully funded, relying first on restricted funding sources such as development impact fees, grants, and debt issuances before using general fund dollars.
“We utilize restricted funding first… and we have 5 to 10 year forecasts for all of our capital funds to ensure that we are solvent not only this year but many years into the future.”
All debt issuances must still come before City Council for approval.
Out of 68 total CIP projects, only 16 are new, making up less than 10% of the program. Many of the larger projects are already underway or funded in FY2026, with $267 million currently programmed this year alone.
Transportation: $135.1M Investment
Transportation remains a major focus, with projects aimed at maintaining and expanding Goodyear’s roadway system.
A recent success highlighted by the city:
I-10 PebbleCreek / Estrella Parkway Widening
Completed in FY2026, with construction scheduled during nights and off-peak hours to minimize disruption.
Key Transportation Projects
Estrella Parkway Bridge: Vineyard Road to MC85
Total Budget: $114.4M
Completion: FY2029
Often referred to as the Estrella Bridge, this project will expand capacity to six lanes and is funded through a mix of impact fees, general obligation debt, and general funds.
The project is currently in design and acquisition phases, with early work already underway. Full construction is expected to begin later this year.
Because Estrella Mountain Ranch has limited entry and exit points, the city plans to:
Maintain current traffic flow during construction
Build the new bridge first
Then expand the existing bridge to three lanes
The goal: minimize disruption while increasing long-term capacity.
Cotton Lane Widening: Estrella Pkwy to Cotton Lane Bridge
Budget: $21.7M
Completion: FY2028
This project will widen 1.5 miles of Cotton Lane and is fully funded in FY2026.
Goodyear Post Office Access Road Improvements
Budget: $6.3M
Completion: FY2029
Improvements along Estrella Parkway from Hadley Street to Goodyear Boulevard North will include added street parking, with most funding allocated in FY2026.
The roads surrounding the Goodyear Post Office have already seen significant changes, with multiple apartment developments under construction in the area.
As growth has increased, so have access and parking challenges. As noted in 2024, limited parking has led some drivers to park in the dirt on the north side of the property, with informal access routes forming behind the facility.
The planned roadway improvements are expected to address some of these ongoing issues as the area continues to develop.
Several years ago, I took a trip down memory lane with a good friend, revisiting the original plans for the Goodyear Post Office dating back to 1987. At the time, there were discussions about potentially relocating or rebuilding the facility further north or to the northeast to better accommodate growth.
Watch here:
Indian School Road: Perryville to Citrus Roads
Budget: $56.4M
Completion: FY2031
This long-term project includes:
New traffic signals at Perryville and Citrus
Initial lane expansion beginning this year
Full buildout, including sidewalks and additional lanes, over several years
Funding comes from a combination of general obligation bonds and general fund dollars.
I-10 Interchanges and the Buc-ee’s Question
Two major I-10 projects are in early stages:
Bullard Interchange (near Buc-ee’s)
Litchfield Interchange
The Bullard interchange, located near the future Buc-ee’s site (expected to open June 22, 2026), will require a full rebuild.
While the project is included in future CIP planning, the city is currently working with the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and Prop 479 funding to potentially cover costs.
Still, timing remains a concern.
Mayor Joe Pizzillo raised questions about traffic flow once Buc-ee’s opens:
“You knock down Bullard at that point, where’s the traffic gonna go to get to Buc-ee’s? It’s either going to have to bypass on Estrella and come down or it’s gonna be Litchfield… In an ideal world, it would have been done before Buc-ee’s.”
Side Note: Private Sector Use & Surveillance
On a related note, privacy advocate Jason Bassler recently posted on X that he has received multiple reports suggesting Buc-ee’s locations may be using Flock license plate reader cameras.
Bassler noted that while there are no confirmed receipts, photos circulating online appear to show the technology in use at some locations.
The claim has not been independently verified, but it highlights how ALPR systems are not limited to government use and are expanding into private commercial spaces.
Goodyear Seeks Funding to Replace Drone Fleet Amid Federal Restrictions
Goodyear’s April 6th budget work session, which ran just under four hours, included a request from Police Chief Brian Issitt to begin replacing the city’s drone fleet.
The request stems from new federal restrictions on Chinese-manufactured drone technology. While existing drones can still be used, Chief Issitt explained they cannot be replaced or expanded if they fail, creating a long-term challenge for agencies currently relying on them.
As a result, the city is seeking funding to transition to compliant drone systems moving forward.