Second Road Entry into Estrella Now Open

Estrella residents can now enjoy a new direct north/south route connecting Estrella Parkway and MC85. The new $55 million southward extension of Cotton Lane, including a 17-span bridge over the Gila River opened on November 25, 2008 providing an alternative route to Estrella. 

Even better news in today’s economy, it came in under budget and opened ahead of schedule. Motorists are now able to drive from Estrella Parkway north on Cotton Lane to MC85 or I-10. They will also be able to continue north on Cotton Lane to Loop 303 and go all the way to north Peoria on the same roadway and ultimately on to I-17 with the planned future extension of
Loop 303. 

“The concept to build a roadway and a bridge to cross the Gila River on the Cotton Lane alignment to ease transportation woes has been discussed for decades, and it’s now a reality. A major goal for this Cotton Lane project is to improve regional traffic flow in the West Valley. Another aim is to provide more access points for developments, both planned and existing, south of the river, such as Estrella,” said Mary Rose Wilcox, Maricopa County
Supervisor-District 5.