Phoenix, Ariz. - The state transpor...

Phoenix, Ariz. - The state transportation board has authorized a consortium of private companies to negotiate a possible contract to build and operate up to $650 million worth of toll road facilities for the East Valley region of the metropolitan area.

The draw called MetroRoad, would add novel toll express lanes on up to 46 miles of East Valley freeways and accelerate construction of up to 20 miles of the state's planned San Tan Freeway. Expres lanes would begin opening on 1999, and the entire San Tan facility would exhibit by 2004, eight years before the state has scheduled completion. MetroRoad