Scottsdale's already traffic-clogged streets are bracing for more slowdown as the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) shuts down a key freeway exit for two months. The northbound Loop 101 off-ramp at Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard will close its avenues on May 29, funneling drivers to alternative routes and adding to the daily grind of commuters.

ADOT is directing those affected to detour via the Raintree Drive exit and navigate the adjacent frontage roads to reach their usual destinations while suggesting some extra cushion time for travel. This closure isn't the only inconvenience locals have grappled with recently — ramps at Shea Boulevard and Cactus Road have been out of commission since April, according to ADOT.

This 60-day shutdown is part of a much grander $108 million Loop 101 Improvement Project that started back in January. It promises to widen the freeway between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road by adding one lane in each direction over the span of 4.5 miles. But the project comes with a promise of recurrent inconveniences until its anticipated early 2026 completion date.

While the wider freeway could ultimately ease congestion, Scottsdale residents must first wade through the thick of it. ADOT's renovation plan includes a remodeled interchange at Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard, which will take on a diamond shape, along with flashy upgrades like new signs, traffic signals, and lighting, according to the funding particulars of Proposition 400 approved by Maricopa County voters. For those looking to skirt the worst of the traffic hassles, real-time road conditions can be checked on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, through the az511 app, or by simply dialing 511.