Drivers who frequent the stretch between Interstate 10 and Kino Parkway in Tucson might want to plan for some alternate routes starting tomorrow. The Arizona Department of Transportation announced permanent closures of two ramps at this juncture. The eastbound exit from I-10 to northbound Kino Parkway and the entrance ramp to I-10 eastbound from southbound Kino Parkway are ceasing operation at 5 a.m. tomorrow, with detours directing motorists to a new traffic signal on Kino Parkway.
The closures herald the start of a wider effort to remedy the ramps' design flaws, aiming to cut down on accidents and ensure a seamless flow of traffic. Set to improve driver experience, the closures are designed to reduce weaving conflicts between vehicles and enhance overall road safety. After the closures, navigating this interchange will involve a quick detour for motorists looking to transition between I-10 and Kino Parkway.
A titanic project looms ahead for Southern Arizona, with a price tag of $600 million, setting its sights on overhauling and expanding I-10 from Kino Parkway to Country Club Road. The initiative is not just adding lanes; it's completely reimagining interchanges at crucial points. The stretch between Kino Parkway and Alvernon Way will flaunt three lanes a side, bolstered by auxiliary lanes to better manage the flow of traffic, as detailed by AZDOT.
Construction, while ongoing through 2028, promises to always keep businesses accessible with two travel lanes open in each direction during peak travel times. This includes a fresh interchange at Country Club Road for drivers who formerly navigated the now-to-be-removed Palo Verde Road interchange and will feature a new westbound on-ramp at Alvernon Way.
A 2020 study serves as the blueprint for the major reconstruction of State Route 210 (Barraza Aviation Parkway), mapping its planned extension along Alvernon Way to link I-10 with downtown Tucson. Drivers and residents can find detailed information about the project at I-10KinotoCountryClub.
