A.J. plans to annex 32 acres of state trust land, an article from the East Valley Tribune, reports that Apache Junction is planning to annex 32 acres of state trust land as the growing city prepares for a future influx of traffic that will come from a 7,700-acre planned development. 

According to Brad Steinke, director of development services, without the annexation, Elliot Avenue would be misaligned as Apache Junction builds out, and could not be a useful major arterial road. 

Developer Jim Rhodes is planning a master-planned community on the adjacent state land, including the 1,000-acre Desert Communities, which is part of the 7,700-acres of state trust land now known as Lost Dutchman Heights.  

Pat Brenner, city spokesman, said the annexation is being done to allow for a better entrance and exit for the future developments, as well as to prevent congestion within Apache Junction as the large communities are built out in years to come.