Tempe residents and visitors will need to adjust their night-time travel plans as the City of Tempe embarks on the next phase of the Downtown Mill Avenue Refresh project, with the southbound stretch of Mill Avenue from Rio Salado Parkway to Fifth Street closing periodically overnight starting from August 10th through September 12th. According to an announcement from the city, the closures will take place from 10 p.m. on Sundays to 7 a.m. on Fridays, allowing crews to work on the median island, aiming to complete significant work before a busy fall season of downtown events.
Despite the inconvenience that comes with any construction, local businesses along Mill Avenue will remain accessible during the closures with Downtown Tempe Authority offering a small consolation in the form of free parking validation starting August 10th, details of which are promised to arrive shortly, while all parking garages will stay in operation to accommodate those seeking out the area's offerings, during the day and weekends, all northbound and southbound lanes will remain open, ensuring that day-to-day life and weekend buzz goes on mostly undisturbed.
The construction won't impede east-west access across Mill Avenue at Fifth, Third Streets, and Rio Salado Parkway, which will be maintained around the clock; however, Fourth and Second Streets will see night-time closures to both pedestrians and vehicles, Sunday through Friday. For those still braving the elements and navigation challenges, access to Mill Avenue businesses between Rio Salado Parkway and Fifth Street will be available by foot, transit, bike, scooter, or wheelchair after 10 p.m., as conveyed in the city's communication.
Detours and directional signage will be placed to assist visitors in navigating the area while the Streetcar will continue its operations with the expected occasional halts due to the ongoing construction and for those seeking additional guidance, the TempeTRIP mobility tool offers an interactive way to find parking, transit options, and the best travel routes. The Downtown Tempe Refresh, a substantial infrastructure overhaul, involves updates such as new electrical lines, improved irrigation, wider sidewalks infused with artistic elements, refreshed paving, and more greenery by adding 112 new trees while preserving 26 Ficus trees, as shared by the city's updates.
Residents and others affected by these changes are advised that project dates and the construction schedule may experience revisions due to weather, equipment challenges, or other unforeseen circumstances, to stay informed, individuals can sign up for project emails to receive the latest notifications on any changes. Additional closures and restrictions may be implemented as needed beyond those specified for Mill Avenue, as per the city's statements.
For full details, including upcoming announcements regarding free parking validation and other specifics about the project, refer to the City of Tempe's official communication on the subject here.
