`Get ready for a detour-filled weekend, New Yorkers. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has laid out plans that will see westbound Interstate 10 shutting down between US 60 and Interstate 17 for bridge work from the night of April 12 to the early morning of April 15, so anyone hitting the road should brace for some extra travel time.
Motorists are in for a bit of a headache, as not only will the stretch of the westbound I-10 be closed, but a slew of ramps: including those from westbound US 60 to I-10, the southbound State Route 143 ramp, and westbound on-ramps at Elliot, Baseline, and Broadway Roads also 40th and 32nd streets will all be out of action, according to the warning issued by ADOT. In the midst of this disruption northbound State Route 143 won't be unscathed; it's set to close between Broadway Road and University Drive to allow some pavement pampering.
Good news though for those wishing to skirt around the chaos, ADOT has suggested a detour, one can use eastbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) or eastbound US 60 to northbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway), and then latch onto westbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) to rejoin westbound I-10. West Valley travelers can sidestep the disruption completely by taking Loop 202 (South Mountain Freeway) west and north to connect with I-10 at 59th Avenue.
With westbound lanes restricted, those with flights to catch at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport will need to improvise: ADOT advises hopping onto northbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway), to westbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway), and enter the airport via Sky Harbor Boulevard, as ADOT explained.
Motorists should stay alert, though, as these well-laid plans may shift with the capricious whims of weather or other unanticipated occurrences. ADOT recommends grabbing their free mobile app, TheCurve, or checking out the project website's Alerts section for the freshest updates so whatever the road throws your way, you're ready.
The I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project, part of the Maricopa Association of Governments' Regional Transportation Plan funded by Maricopa County's voter-approved half-cent sales tax, stands as a testament to the region's forward thinking. Propel 400 threw its weight behind the cause in 2004, eyes set on the prize of reduced travel times during those pesky peak hours, more efficient airport access, an embrace of ridesharing and transit, not to mention making sure the area is prepped and ready for future growth spurts.
