Travelers in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area this weekend should buckle up for a slew of road closures that are sure to complicate transit plans. According to a report by ABC15, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will be initiating closures from Friday evening through Monday morning as part of maintenance and expansion projects geared towards traffic improvement.
Those intending to use westbound Interstate 10 will face a shutdown between the I-17 "Split" and Seventh Avenue, beginning at 9 p.m. Friday until 9 a.m. Sunday, during this scheduled closure the westbound I-10 ramp to southbound Interstate 17 will also be closed, adding another layer to the weekend's traffic puzzle. Detours include navigating northbound on I-17 to access westbound I-10 at the "Stack" interchange. Moreover, the report from Travel and Tour World warns that the northbound Loop 101 between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road in Scottsdale will be out of commission from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday due to a widening project, with nearby on-ramps at Via De Ventura and 90th Street also off limits.
Detours will be a common theme for the weekend, as travelers seeking to use the Loop 101 and I-17 ramps will need to divert via roads like Deer Valley Road or Union Hills Drive, while those accustomed to the eastbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) will need alternative ramps as the ones at Cooper Road and Gilbert Road will be shut down for the same widening initiative. These adjustments are likely to extend travel times, making it imperative for drivers to stay updated and allow for extra travel time, especially when heading to Sky Harbor Airport, which is expected to be in the thick of the traffic snarl. With the delays, ridesharing services or public transportation may provide a reprieve for travelers looking to circumvent the congestion.
For those less versed in Valley Metro's offerings, the light rail may serve as a welcome substitute during this chaotic period, running through downtown Phoenix and Scottsdale and offering a stress-free alternative to road-based travel. Keeping an eye on real-time traffic updates through apps such as Google Maps or Waze is a must before venturing out, and those heading for events, particularly the Arizona Cardinals’ fans, should plot their course in advance considering alternative paths like Loop 202 and SR 51 to safely reach their destinations beyond the closures, and with several road closures in place for construction and maintenance purposes it will be essential for drivers to plan and know their detours to achieve a smoother journey.
