The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) said Monday that plans to study a proposed highway in Pinal County are moving forward thanks to a new environmental review process that can be implemented while the project awaits funding.

The North-South Corridor, which spans 40 miles between U.S. 60 and I-10, would offer another way to get around a growing area of the Sun Corridor. While there is a lack of funding for design and construction of the project, ADOT and the Federal Highway Administration have implemented a tiered process to complete the environmental study portion of the project while still pursuing funding, rather than waiting until funds are in place.

As part of the new study, ADOT also will identify a corridor to extend State Route 24 from Ironwood Drive to connect with the North-South Corridor. If the corridor moves forward, it could be built in segments or as one full project once funding is in place.

A public hearing will be held once a draft of an environmental impact study, expected to be completed in 2019, is in place.