Phoenix commuters, brace yourselves for some weekend inconveniences on the road. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has scheduled freeway closures and restrictions from January 17-20 for ongoing improvement projects. Eastbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) will be closed between Cave Creek Road and State Route 51 in north Phoenix due to pavement maintenance. Drivers should exit ahead of the closure and use alternate routes like eastbound Union Hills Drive or Deer Valley Road to Tatum Boulevard to loop back to Loop 101. The caveat here: travel time could get a little longer and patience a bit thinner.
For those flying in or out of town, be aware that eastbound I-10 will be down to two lanes near Sky Harbor Airport, also part of the Broadway Curve Improvement Project. Anticipate delays, and prepare to merge safely as you navigate these narrower paths. Closures on westbound US 60 and I-10 are also in play, with detours directing drivers to roundabout paths through the city's arterial roads.
Adding to the list of closures, eastbound I-10 will be completely off-limits between I-17 and State Route 51 for a short stint on January 18 for tunnel maintenance, as per the ADOT. Detours will reroute traffic via southbound I-17, bringing I-10 back within reach near the airport. The following night, westbound I-10 will follow suit with a closure of its own. Drivers should detour on northbound I-17 to reconnect further north. And, with southbound SR 51 and Loop 202 ramps blocked, the maze of detours will test our collective navigation skills.
As reported on ADOT's website, they are necessary steps in the grander plan of enhancing the valley's transit landscape, as supported by the newly approved Proposition 479. This commitment to the city's future means occasional trade-offs, but with real-time highway conditions accessible via ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site or app, preparation can stave off most of the inconvenience.
