Phoenix drivers, prepare for a weekend of redirected routes as the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) undertakes several freeway improvements from yesterday to September 16. Major closures include westbound Interstate 10 near Sky Harbor Airport and southbound Interstate 17 at Loop 303. With the expected freeway traffic restrictions, motorists are advised to plan for additional travel time or consider alternate routes.
Particularly, the westbound I-10 will be inaccessible from State Route 143 to the I-17 “Split” near the airport starting at 10 p.m. yesterday until 4 a.m. Monday due to the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project. As per ADOT's announcement, several on-ramps will also be closed during this period, and a detour will direct traffic onto northbound SR 143 and then onto the westbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway). For local traffic, the recommended pathway is the use of Loop 202 (South Mountain Freeway) to connect back to I-10 near 59th Avenue.
Furthermore, southbound I-17 will see a closure at Loop 303 and narrowed lanes to a single lane between Loop 303 and Jomax Road for pavement improvements. ADOT suggests using off and on-ramps at Loop 303 as the primary detour, urging drivers to avoid local roads not equipped to handle heavy traffic volumes. According to their guidance, eastbound Loop 303 drivers can connect to northbound I-17 by taking the Happy Valley Road exit.
Another area of work will have westbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) closed between Gilbert Road and Arizona Avenue as part of a widening project. Ramps along this route will be closed, and an alternate route is suggested via westbound Germann Road or Pecos Road. Concurrently, the eastbound I-10 between the I-17 “Stack” and State Route 51 will be closed for tunnel maintenance, applying a detour along southbound I-17 to rejoin I-10.
Lastly, the eastbound US 60 (Superstition Freeway) will be constricted to three lanes between Gilbert Road and Loop 202 for pavement maintenance. Closures of on and off-ramps in this zone necessitate additional planning, with alternate suggestions including eastbound roads such as Broadway Road, Southern Avenue, or Baseline Road to circumvent the work zone.
Remember that all construction schedules may shift in response to weather or other unforeseen variables. The upgrades are part of a regional initiative funded by Proposition 400, which Maricopa County voters approved. Travelers looking for real-time highway conditions can consult the ADOT Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, the az511 app, or by calling 511 for updates on the freeway conditions.
