Two major intersection-widening projects are planned for the Kyrene Corridor in coming years and hold the promise of reducing accidents and financial losses.

The Ray Road/McClintock Drive intersection is scheduled for widening in 2010-11, followed by the Ray Road/Rural Road intersection in 2012-13.

The projects will mimic similar improvements performed at intersections along Elliot Road at Dobson and Alma School roads and along Arizona Avenue at Ray Road, Elliot Road and Chandler Boulevard.

Chandler saw an average 27 percent reduction in accidents and 39 percent reduction in injuries following the widening of the five intersections noted above.

In the case of the Arizona Avenue/Elliot intersection, accidents dropped 48 percent, according to city data.

Accident reductions associated with these intersections are calculated to save Chandler residents approximately $2.3 million annually in direct costs related to auto repair, lost wages and medical costs. This does not include indirect costs such as pain and suffering, reduced quality of life and other benefits.

The $2.3 million savings figure was derived using the average cost of a property-damage-only accident, an injury accident and a fatal accident.

These numbers come from the National Safety Council and reflect the direct cost of auto repairs, lost wages from hospitalization or time off work to get a car repaired, medical costs for treatment and other expenses.

The NSC information was applied to the number of accidents reduced each year to arrive at the annual savings.