The previously announced closure of the southbound Loop 101 on-ramp at Princess Drive/Pima Road in north Scottsdale is set to begin this coming Tuesday, with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) confirming the ramp will be out of commission for about 60 days due to reconstruction efforts. The shutdown, which is a part of the major roadway expansion project in the area, will force local drivers to adjust their routes; they'll need to take the detour via the frontage road onto Loop 101 at Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard, as announced by ADOT.
The timeline also shows a bit of relief for motorists since the northbound Loop 101 on-ramp at Shea Boulevard, closed off since April, is reopening earlier than the Princess Drive closure, coming back into service at 5 a.m. on Monday, June 17 and this reopening follows a brief weekend shutdown of the northbound Loop 101 between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive as crews install new lighting, navigating around these construction sites has been quite the challenging dance, but there's a glimmer of normalcy returning as sections get completed and roads are gradually reopened to the public. ADOT suggests travelers through this stretch give themselves extra time, drive more cautiously, and maintain safe distances as traffic patterns will be inevitably impacted by the various closures and construction activities associated with the $108 million project designed to widen and upgrade this part of the freeway.
Discussing the broader scope of the works, the expansion involves the addition of a new lane in each direction over a 4.5 mile section north of Shea Boulevard, as well as a total revamp of the Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard interchange into a diamond configuration among other enhancements like fresh signage, better traffic signals, and updated lighting systems. The target date for wrapping up the entire expanse of the enhancement project is aimed for early 2026, and the implications of this on the regional traffic dynamic and infrastructure are considerable, a tangible representation of civil commitment and foresight funded partially through Proposition 400.
All these adjustments to the freeway system, including the closing off and then the reopening of ramps at various intervals, are key steps in a rhythmically orchestrated transportation ballet, part of a grander Regional Transportation Plan overseen by the Maricopa Association of Governments—this entity standing as the planning beacon for the metropolitan Phoenix expanse; downloadable apps and an online travel information system provided by ADOT.
