(Photo courtesy of Pinal County Sheriff's Office)

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu.

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu is calling on Arizona lawmakers to stop diverting money from the Highway User Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Safety, so the counties can use the money for its intended purpose. Babeu said Ironwood Road in San Tan Valley is extremely dangerous and needs improvements, after numerous crashes and four fatal rollover accidents, last year alone.

“There’s no break-down lane, no place to pull off of the road to change a tire or if your car is disabled, or even for a deputy to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation,” Babeu said.

He said the road is in a rapidly-growing area and needs major improvements the county cannot afford, because highway funds are being used instead to fund DPS.