Heads up, drivers: the eastbound stretch of I-10 between State Route 51 and US 60 is set to close from Friday, January 31, at 10 p.m. to Monday, Feb. 3, at 4 a.m. due to a significant traffic shift. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is warning of probable delays and suggesting that those affected plan accordingly and consider alternative routes.
Commuters should pay attention to the numerous ramp closures accompanying the main shutdown: the ramps from southbound SR 143, I-17, and SR 51 to eastbound I-10 will be out of service, along with the westbound Loop 202 ramp to eastbound I-10, the eastbound I-10 on-ramp at Jefferson Street, and the eastbound I-10 HOV ramp to eastbound Loop 202. Additionally, the on-ramps at Third and Seventh Streets, Buckeye Road, and spots stretching from 24th to 40th Streets and Broadway Road on eastbound I-10, as well as the southbound I-17 on-ramps at Seventh Avenue and Seventh Street and the southbound SR 51 on-ramp at McDowell Road, will also be closed. These additional closures run concurrent with the main event, beginning at 8 p.m. Friday and ending at 4 a.m. Monday.
ADOT is offering detour advice: eastbound traffic can take the Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) to the Loop 101 (Price Freeway) before joining the US 60 to bypass the closure or venture west on Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) for eastbound I-10 access; those coming from the south on I-17 have the option to head west on I-10 then east on Loop 202. West Valley drivers can take the Loop 202 (South Mountain Freeway) as a roundabout way to reach the Southeast Valley from I-10 and 59th Avenue.
ADOT urges drivers to follow the designated detour routes as schedules may change due to weather or other events. Drivers are encouraged to download TheCurve, the free mobile app for the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project, or visit the project's website for real-time updates. These improvements are part of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Transportation Plan, funded by a half-cent sales tax from Maricopa County through Proposition 400, which was established in 2004 to improve travel times, airport access, and support the region's future growth.
