Phoenix-area motorists, brace yourselves for a weekend of detours and delays. Significant freeway closures are slated to kick off this weekend from April 12 through April 15, as part of ongoing improvement projects. Drivers are advised to plan ahead and seek alternate routes where possible, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).
For those headed west, the I-10 will be shut down between US 60 (Superstition Freeway) and I-17 starting 10 p.m. Friday evening until the early hours of Monday morning, specifically for the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project. Detour seekers can make use of Loop 202 (Santan Freeway), US 60, and northbound Loop 101 before hopping onto Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) to reach their destinations, including Sky Harbor Airport or I-10 at the SR 51 interchange, as reported by ADOT. In a related note, for those navigating the area, 32nd Street will also face closure between I-10 and Elwood Street.
To add, pavement sealing will cause the northbound/westbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) to be closed between US 60 in Mesa and Loop 101 in Tempe from Friday night until Saturday noon. Similarly, the eastbound/southbound stretch will be closed from Saturday night to Sunday noon. ADOT advises commuters to consider using the peripherally running US 60 during these times. Additionally, preparation for a widening project will result in the northbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) on-ramp at Shea Boulevard closing for an estimated two months starting early Monday morning. Drivers should consider using alternate streets like Hayden Road or 92nd Street to Cactus Road for northbound Loop 101 access during this period.
The disruption is due to a larger vision, given that most projects across the Phoenix area are funded by Proposition 400 – the sales tax initiative Maricopa County voters passed in 2004. To keep informed on real-time highway conditions, ADOT recommends checking in via their Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by downloading the az511 app, or by calling the service line at 511. Travelers are cautioned to stay alert in work zones, and be prepared to merge safely to aid other drivers attempting to navigate on and off-ramps, especially between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive, as per the ADOT.
