If you're planning to traverse the valley freeways this weekend, prepare for detours and delays as closures resume post-holiday hiatus. According to ABC15, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has announced significant closures due to ongoing construction projects, including a full northbound shutdown of Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road from 10 p.m. Friday through to 5 a.m. Monday. ADOT suggests using northbound Scottsdale Road as an alternative route, with closures extending to the northbound on-ramps at Via de Ventura and 90th Street, which will also be closed during this period.
Commencing a two-year, $180 million effort to improve Loop 101, the closures signal the start of a widening project aimed at easing future traffic congestion, the restrictions are necessary as crews lay the groundwork for the extended project these closures are expected to bring challenges for weekend commuters, including Cardinals fans attending Sunday’s game in Glendale who are encouraged to use westbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) and northbound State Route 51, according to information shared by both ABC15 and KTAR News.
The disruptions extend beyond Scottsdale, with the westbound I-10 ramp to eastbound US 60 (Superstition Freeway) near the Broadway Curve scheduled for closure from 10 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Sunday, as outlined by KTAR News. In addition, the westbound I-10 on-ramp at Baseline Road will be out of service. ADOT advises drivers to exit westbound I-10 at Broadway Road then turn left to get on eastbound I-10 for reaching eastbound US 60.
A critical closure for Phoenix travelers, the southbound State Route 143 (Hohokam Expressway) will be shut down between Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) and I-10 from 10 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday in a move to accommodate a traffic shift, with the westbound Loop 202 exit to Sky Harbor Airport (Sky Harbor Boulevard) similarly impacted; this closure might affect travel to the city's main airport detours suggesting using the westbound Loop 202 to eastbound I-10 at the SR 51 "Mini-Stack" interchange for Sky Harbor's west entrance are provided by both KTAR News and ABC15. While these interruptions are inconvenient, they are part of broader efforts to modernize the area's freeway infrastructure and enhance traffic flow in the long term.
