Phoenix drivers, brace yourselves for a weekend of detours and delays. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has announced road closures to make way for improvement projects across the region from July 11-14. The westbound Loop 101 will shut down between Interstate 17 and 51st Avenue for a widening project, starting at 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. This effort will also lead to the closure of both I-17 ramps to westbound Loop 101 and westbound Loop 101 on-ramps at Seventh Street and Seventh Avenue, ADOT released in a statement.
Travelers looking to navigate the area are advised to consider alternate routes, including westbound Union Hills Drive and detouring along Beardsley frontage road if exiting at 27th Avenue. However, do prepare to deviate once again, as the westbound frontage road will close between 35th and 51st avenues early Sunday morning for pavement marking. To add to the complexity, Loop 101 will narrow to just two lanes between 59th and 75th avenues for Saturday, urging drivers to possibly take south on 75th Avenue to westbound Union Hills Drive, instead.
Another area affected is Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard, which will be inaccessible in both directions at Loop 101 from Friday night to early Monday morning because of the same project. Detouring traffic will be rerouted through the Loop 101 frontage roads. Meanwhile, the westbound Loop 202’s off-ramp at Arizona Avenue will undergo bridge work as part of a separate widening project, beginning at 2 a.m. Saturday and reopening at 7 a.m. Sunday. Drivers are to plan on using other nearby exits, as indicated by ADOT's advisory.
These updates tie into the larger framework of Phoenix's regional infrastructure enhancement, heavily supported by Proposition 400 sales tax funds and the recently voter-approved Proposition 479 for future transportation projects. These projects serve to accommodate the growing traffic demands and improve the overall travel experience within Maricopa County. As schedules are subject to change, especially if encumbered by unpredictable weather or other unforeseen factors, ADOT recommends keeping up to quickly adapt with real-time conditions through their Arizona Traveler Information site at AZ511.gov or via the az511 app.
