The freeway that will free Queen Creek and San Tan Valley

If you’ve ever considered buying a new construction home in Queen Creek or San Tan Valley, I’m sure you’ve noticed that there are several challenges for commuters. Enter, the exciting infrastructure project that will delight any QC or STV homeowner: State Route 24, the Gateway Freeway.

— New Construction Advantage Discount —

SR 24 is being built in phases — the first segment, from Loop 202 to Ellsworth Road, opened in 2015. Phase 2, extending to Ironwood Drive, was completed in 2022. The final phase, concluding the corridor from Loop 202 to Ironwood, wrapped up its design process in the summer of 2026.

Because the interim stretch is already straining under demand: peak-hour traffic on SR-24 is hitting 2,500 vehicles, relief is on the way. It’s a multi-year project, a $350 million widening effort breaking ground in fall 2026. This will add another lane in each direction with new interchanges at Williams Field, Signal Butte, and Meridian Roads, converting the Ironwood Drive interchange to a diverging-diamond design, and constructing 11 new bridges. Completion is expected by mid-2029.

Will SR24 Make Queen Creek and San Tan Valley the Best Cities for New Home Buyers?

Longer term, the vision is even greater: SR 24 is planned to eventually connect with Pinal County’s Central Arizona Parkway and the proposed SR 505 North-South Freeway and U.S. 60 — the link that would finally give San Tan Valley the kind of freeway access that’s helped drive appreciation of property values elsewhere in the East Valley.

— Need Help with Closing Costs? Check our New Construction Advantage Program —

Two other developments are worth watching alongside the road work. Intel’s Fab 52/62 expansion in Chandler is estimated to bring 50,000+ tech jobs within five miles of downtown, reinforcing that city’s premium property values. Meanwhile, LG Energy Solution’s battery plant and the continued build-out of Mesa Gateway Airport are the equivalent growth engines for the Queen Creek/San Tan Valley side of the East Valley.

As of July 1, 2026, San Tan Valley officially became its own incorporated town — a milestone that should eventually mean more local control over planning, permitting, and infrastructure investment, rather than routing everything through Pinal County as was the case in the past.

Here’s he takeaway for new home buyers: if you’re purchasing in Queen Creek or San Tan Valley today, you’re buying ahead of valuable infrastructure expansion. That can mean a significant uptick in your property value over the next three to five years!!