Tucson commuters should notice smoother travel along the I-10 corridor. New eastbound lanes on Interstate 10 opened on Tuesday morning between Ina and Ruthrauff roads. This is part of a larger initiative to enhance traffic flow and safety in the area, marking a key milestone in the I-10 widening project, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
The traffic switch signals progress on the $171 million initiative to expand I-10 from three lanes to four in each direction within that stretch. The shift from the temporary frontage road to the mainline is expected to ease some congestion that has dogged drivers since early 2023. Although the transformation is ongoing, the recent milestone was reached one month after westbound traffic was rerouted to new I-10 lanes between Orange Grove and Ina roads.
With plans progressing into late 2024, the final section of westbound I-10 is set to complete, extending traffic flow between Ruthrauff and Orange Grove roads. Around the same period, a revamped interchange at Orange Grove Road is slated for reopening. Alongside these large-scale movements, the Arizona Department of Transportation continues work on extending Sunset Road east of I-10 to River Road, improving access with new bridges over the Union Pacific railroad tracks and the Rillito River.
By late 2025, the I-10 widening project will include an operational Sunset Road interchange. Other improvements include rebuilding the Orange Grove Road bridges for increased clearance, adding lanes to the entrance and exit ramps at both the Orange Grove and Sunset interchanges, and replacing all nine bridges in the project area. Infrastructure upgrades such as lighting, landscaping, and drainage will also be implemented to enhance traffic management and commuter convenience. Additionally, a path to the Chuck Huckelberry Loop is being built from Sunset Road to improve local accessibility.
The I-10 expansion is part of the Regional Transportation Authority's roadway improvement plan, managed by the Pima Association of Governments and starting in early 2023. While construction is underway and expected to continue until late 2025, the Arizona Department of Transportation has committed to keeping access to local businesses open, aiming to minimize disruption to daily life in Pima County.
