Special Midweek Newsletter

Gosar Amendment Aimed to Relieve Traffic Congestion in Buckeye, Arizona Included in Federal Aviation Reauthorization Legislation

Last week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through Fiscal Year 2028.

I voted in favor of this important legislation to reauthorize the FAA’s activities and programs, air traffic control, airport facilities and equipment and operations for five years.  It also included a big WIN for residents of Buckeye, Arizona.

Several weeks ago, I sent a letter to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves bringing to his attention an important issue for people living in Buckeye and the surrounding communities and asked that a legislative fix I formulated be included in the pending FAA bill.

Today, I am pleased to report that the FAA reauthorization legislation included my amendment releasing the FAA’s deed restriction on property known as the Buckeye 940 in what was formerly an auxiliary field for Luke Air Force Base and used in World War II to house military planes.

The 940 acres of encumbered land is located in Buckeye, which is the fastest growing city in the United States.  Because of its rapid growth, Buckeye desperately needs transportation corridors to effectively move people and provide critical development to service the needs of its growing population.  The Arizona State Land Department, the current owner of the land, hoped to grant an easement to help relieve traffic congestion, however, the property carried a deed restriction preventing the land to be used for anything other than airport purposes.  Without a legislative fix, the deed transfer simply could not happen.

My amendment provides a pathway for a deed transfer of the land to help ease traffic congestion in the fastest-growing part of the West Valley of Phoenix by expanding Yuma Road and Van Buren Street that are located within the property.  For months, I worked closed with the FAA, the Arizona State Land Department and the Arizona Attorney General’s office to draft this amendment that solves a growing problem in Buckeye.

I am grateful to Chairman Graves for including my important provision in the FAA reauthorization and I would like to thank everyone involved in fostering this solution.

Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn noted “for more than 50 years Buckeye has been working to remove the FAA deed restriction on 320 acres of untapped land in a key corridor of the city.  Thanks to the determination of Congressman Gosar, this roadblock to economic development is one step closer to being transformed into a productive use that will benefit our residents and the entire West Valley.  Our sincere thanks to our federal representatives for working in bipartisan unity to make this happen.”