Phoenix residents and visitors preparing to immerse themselves in the excitement of the NCAA Final Four games this weekend will luckily not have to navigate the headache of downtown freeway closures. The Arizona Department of Transportation is giving sports fans a break by suspending major roadblocks in the downtown Phoenix and Glendale areas during this high-traffic period, as reported by their announcement on Thursday.
However, those traveling outside the immediate vicinity of the sporting festivities must plan their routes carefully. In a move to continue civil progress, select improvement projects will prompt limitations on the freedom to travel unimpeded. Most notably, westbound I-10's ramp to eastbound US 60 will be inaccessible from Friday night until early Monday morning, in a strategic closure designed to facilitate bridge work. Similarly, the Westbound I-10 on-ramp at Broadway Road will remain closed, leading ADOT to suggest some rather specific detours.
According to ADOT's advisory, additional disruptions will include the overnight shutdown of the Westbound Loop 101 ramp leading to the southbound State Route 51, which will drive barrier wall repairs from Friday night into Saturday morning. Those accustomed to traveling along 16th Street should also prepare to reroute; the street will be closed beneath Loop 101 as part of a freeway wall project throughout the weekend.
These upgrades and maintenance activities, most funded by Maricopa County's Proposition 400 sales tax, are essential to the region's infrastructure and future ease of transit. While the temporary closures may introduce some minor delays, ADOT encourages drivers to thoroughly review their travel plans and to stay informed on real-time conditions via az511.gov, the az511 app, or by calling their 511 service.
