With the weekend fast approaching, motorists in the Phoenix area are gearing up for some major road closures as the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) embarks on significant freeway improvement projects. According to ADOT, travelers should brace for a series of disruptions from July 26 through July 29, impacting major arteries like Interstate 17 and Loop 101. Detours and traffic adjustments will be in effect, and drivers are advised to plan extra time into their commutes or seek alternate routes.
One of the major closures will be on southbound I-17, which will be closed between Loop 303 and Happy Valley Road, starting from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday (July 29). As detailed in an ADOT statement, the closure is due to a pavement improvement project, with additional on-ramp closures at State Route 74/Carefree Highway and Dove Valley Road. "Allow extra travel time," ADOT stressed, recommending a primary detour via westbound Loop 303 to southbound Lake Pleasant Parkway and then eastbound on Happy Valley Road.
Northbound Loop 101, also known as the Price Freeway, will see closures between US 60 (Superstition Freeway) and Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) in Tempe. This will persist from 9 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday for lane striping operations. Further disruptions include the closure of northbound Loop 101 on-ramps at Warner, Elliot, and Guadalupe roads. Travelers are encouraged to use western routes via US 60 to I-10 and State Route 143 to retain access to Loop 202.
Another notable adjustment impacts eastbound I-10, which will be narrowed down to two lanes near Sky Harbor Airport, extending from 24th Street to Broadway Road, scheduled from 10 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday. This is for bridge work linked to the Broadway Curve Improvement Project, as per ADOT's information, also including narrowing near US 60 with key on-ramp closures. Drivers should consider using Loop 202 to bypass the area, and a detour via Loop 101 and Westbound Loop 202 in Chandler has been suggested for those needing to reach I-10 beyond weekend restrictions.
As with any substantial civic work, schedules are subject to change due to inclement weather or unexpected developments. ADOT's endeavors are funded in part by Proposition 400, serving as part of the Regional Transportation Plan to elevate Phoenix's transportation infrastructure to better serve its citizens. For real-time updates, the public can consult ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, mobile applications available for Apple or Android, or by simply dialing 511.
