Attention North Scottsdale drivers: the on-ramp you're used to taking on Loop 101 might be off-limits for a while. Starting from July 20, the northbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) on-ramp at Raintree Drive will be closed for reconstruction as part of an improvement project, according to a statement from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). The closure, set to last around 60 days, is just one piece in the puzzle of a broader freeway widening effort that's been rolling out since January 2024.
For those who are habituated to hopping on the freeway at Raintree Drive, alternatives are on the table. ADOT suggests rerouting your journey to enter the northbound Loop 101 at Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard, instead. While not ideal for everyone, the detour is a necessary inconvenience for progress. Traffic adjustments always come with a learning curve, so ADOT is advising drivers in the area to account for extra travel time, and to exercise patience with one another during these changes.
The $108 million Pima Freeway Improvement Project is focused on adding lanes in both directions between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road, which includes enhancements at the Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard interchange. The anticipated conclusion of this ambitious project is early 2026, so mark your calendars for smoother rides in the future.
But how is this all getting paid for? Look no further than Proposition 400, a decision made back in 2004 when Maricopa County voters approved a dedicated half-cent sales tax for such infrastructure improvements. If you're the planner type and want to keep track of highway conditions in real-time, ADOT has you covered. Updates are available via the az511 website, the az511 app, or by dialing 511, direct from your mobile device, or the traditional phone.
