Starting June 15, crews are set to break ground on a roughly four-mile southward extension of Loop 303 in Goodyear, kicking off a long-haul project that will bring new lanes and new interchanges to the West Valley. The work will widen the corridor to three lanes in each direction on the busiest stretch between Van Buren Street and Lower Buckeye Road and is expected to reshape daily commutes and freight movements. Drivers should plan on shifting lanes, reduced speeds through work zones and periodic closures during the project's multi-year run.
What ADOT will build
Over the life of the project, crews will construct an elevated section of Loop 303 over cross streets and the Union Pacific Railroad, build new interchanges at Yuma Road and other crossings, and add one-way frontage roads to preserve local access. Plans call for two general purpose lanes in each direction from MC 85 to Lower Buckeye Road and three lanes in each direction from Lower Buckeye Road to Van Buren Street, along with drainage basins, noise walls, lighting and signage. These elements are described on the Arizona Department of Transportation project page.
Timeline and funding
ADOT's schedule anticipates construction beginning in mid-2026 and lasting about four years, with some preliminary reconstruction already underway in places. Voter approval of Maricopa County's Proposition 479 provided the half-cent sales tax funding that helps finance this and other regional freeway projects. The mid-2026 start and four-year estimate were reported by Phoenix New Times, and the Maricopa Association of Governments lays out Prop 479's role.
Start date and immediate work
Arizona DOT posted on X on June 12 announcing that crews will begin mobilizing June 15 and that initial work-zone setup and lane restrictions will begin as contractors move in. The social post highlighted the southward scope of the project and the planned lane additions between Van Buren and Lower Buckeye Road, as announced by Arizona DOT on X.
Traffic impacts and how to plan
Drivers should be ready for overnight and weekend lane shifts, occasional ramp closures and detours as crews stage equipment and build bridges. Freight operators will need to factor in longer travel times near the corridor. Local advisories have already flagged weekend freeway restrictions that can complicate detours and connections to the 303, so commuters are being urged to leave earlier and check official alerts before traveling, as outlined by ABC15.
What comes next
The extension ties into longer-term plans, including the planned State Route 30 corridor, intended to relieve congestion on I-10 and support growth in Goodyear and Buckeye. Benefits for commuters and supply chains will arrive gradually as new capacity opens, while residents closest to the alignment will face years of construction noise and heavy truck traffic. Regional planners see the work on the 303 as a necessary step before SR 30 moves forward, per the Maricopa Association of Governments.
