Phoenix commuters, take note: This weekend is looking a bit less cumbersome on the freeways than usual. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has announced that there are no mainline freeway closures scheduled in the Phoenix area for the weekend of Nov. 14-17, offering some respite for those who dread the often dreaded roadblocks and detours.
However, if you're planning to travel between eastbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) and southbound State Route 51, you'll need to plot a bit of a detour. The ramp connecting these two freeways will be closed from 10 p.m. on Friday until 5 a.m. Monday (Nov. 17) to make room for a ramp widening project, which is part of the ongoing efforts to improve transportation infrastructure in the region, during these times the southbound Black Mountain Boulevard ramp to southbound SR 51 will also be closed, ADOT suggests that travelers reroute through southbound Cave Creek Road or Tatum Boulevard to Union Hills Drive to reach southbound SR 51, the westbound Loop 101 ramps to southbound SR 51 will thankfully, though, remain open.
These improvements come with a backdrop of the community's commitment to progress as reflected in the approval of Proposition 479 last November. As stated by ADOT, the extension of the half-cent tax ushered in by Maricopa County voters supports future transportation projects in the Phoenix region, which is seeing ongoing expansion and development under the auspices of the Regional Transportation Plan.
Funding for these freeway improvements includes (but is not limited to) the monies generated from Proposition 400—a dedicated sales tax approved back in 2004 by Maricopa County voters. While construction schedules are known for their subjectivity to the whims of weather and other factors, this weekend's travel advisory appears straightforward. ADOT recommends that travelers keep abreast of real-time highway conditions by visiting their Arizona Traveler Information site at AZ511.gov, or by utilizing the az511 app available for Apple or Android devices, or simply by calling 511 prior to hitting the road.
