The Arizona Department of Transportation announced on Apr. 30 that several freeway closures and lane restrictions are planned in the Phoenix area from May 1 to May 4 due to ongoing improvement projects. Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use detour routes during these periods.
These scheduled restrictions include a closure of northbound State Route 51 between Glendale Avenue and Shea Boulevard from Friday night through early Monday morning for surface asphalt removal. On-ramps at Indian School Road, Colter Street, and Bethany Home Road will also be closed. ADOT recommends drivers consider alternate routes such as northbound Interstate 17 or exiting SR 51 before the closure.
Other projects include the closure of westbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) at Gilbert Road, with on-ramps at SanTan Village Parkway, Val Vista Drive, and Lindsay Road also closed. Detours will direct traffic via local roads such as Williams Field, Pecos, and Germann roads. Southbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) will be reduced to two lanes between Princess Drive/Pima Road and Shea Boulevard for pavement improvements. Additionally, westbound US 60 (Superstition Freeway) will have overnight closures between Tomahawk and Crismon roads for pavement sealing.
ADOT manages various facilities including rest areas, snowplow operations with specialized equipment, and highway cameras for monitoring across Arizona according to the official website. The department aims to safely connect people while supporting economic growth through its transportation initiatives according to the official website. Jennifer Toth serves as director of ADOT overseeing planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of state transportation systems according to the official website.
ADOT’s responsibilities extend statewide with highway projects in multiple districts supporting locations from Grand Canyon National Airport to southern border ports according to the official website. The agency works closely with regional partners on corridor studies and traveler information systems according to the official website, while offering services like real-time traveler updates via AZ511.gov or by calling 511.
Most current improvement projects receive funding from Proposition 400—a sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004—and Proposition 479 passed in November last year extends this tax for future transportation needs.
