Arizona Department of Transportation

07/08/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 07/08/2024 07:46

Looking back at SR 74 opening in 1974

As we mark ADOT's 50th Anniversary, we've been looking back at what was happening with all things transportation in Arizona when we became the state DOT in 1974. One particular item caught our attention. Did you know that State Route 74 opened in 1974?

State Route 74 encompasses the western end of "Carefree Highway," starting at Interstate 17 north of Phoenix. While the Carefree Highway designation only remains for about six miles to Lake Pleasant Parkway, the entirety of State Route 74 is just over 30 miles long. It can take you from I-17 west to Morristown, passing Lake Pleasant along the way.

SR 74 began as a promise to the town of Wickenburg to help replace a feared loss of tourism dollars when Interstate 10 was constructed in western Arizona, according to the 2011 book "Arizona Transportation History."

"Instead of having Interstate 10 follow U.S. Route 60 from Phoenix through Wickenburg and Aguila, Arizona highway planners proposed to build a new highway along a more direct route west of Phoenix - an alignment that came to be called the Brenda Cutoff. Wickenburg business interests protested the realignment, which they argued would decimate the town's tourism-based economy.

"In the end, the federal government's emphasis on efficiency and reduced travel times prevailed over local sentiments in favor of supporting Arizona's small-town economies. The Brenda Cutoff was approved, though the economic blow to Wickenburg was softened by the state's promise to build a new highway between Wickenburg and Interstate 17, which would be designated State Route 74."

That promise was fulfilled on May 19, 1974, when then-Arizona Governor Jack Williams dedicated State Route 74 as open for business. We were able to find this photo in our archives from the ceremony that day.

Fun fact: SR 74 was the last state highway opened under the name "Arizona Highway Department." Less than two months after this photo was taken, the Arizona Department of Transportation was created by the State Legislature.