Improvement projects will lead to several freeway closures in the Phoenix area this weekend, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Drivers are advised to plan for detours and allow extra travel time from September 12 through September 15.
Westbound Interstate 10 will be closed between the I-17 “Split” interchange near Sky Harbor Airport and Seventh Avenue from 9 p.m. Friday until 9 a.m. Sunday for maintenance and inspection work. The westbound I-10 ramp to southbound I-17 at the “Stack” interchange west of 19th Avenue will also be closed. Additionally, ramps from southbound SR 51 and westbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) to westbound I-10 at the “Mini-Stack” interchange will not be accessible. ADOT recommends that drivers use northbound I-17 as a detour, starting near Sky Harbor Airport, to reconnect with westbound I-10 at the “Stack” north of Van Buren Street.
Northbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) is scheduled to close between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road in Scottsdale from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday due to widening work. On-ramps at Via De Ventura and 90th Street will also be closed during this period. Drivers can exit at Shea Boulevard and use Scottsdale Road as an alternate route back onto Loop 101 beyond the closure point. ADOT notes that Arizona Cardinals fans traveling toward Glendale on Sunday should allow additional time or consider using other routes such as westbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) to northbound SR 51 before reaching Loop 101.
Both Interstate 17 ramps leading to westbound Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) will be closed from Friday night until Saturday evening for ongoing widening work. Detours include using Deer Valley Road or Union Hills Drive via 35th Avenue.
Eastbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) on-ramp at Cooper Road and eastbound off-ramp at Gilbert Road are set for closure from late Friday night through early Sunday morning for construction activities related to freeway expansion. The eastbound on-ramp at Arizona Avenue will remain closed until early Monday morning, while the westbound on-ramp at Val Vista Drive closes until early Sunday morning. Drivers are encouraged to use nearby ramps during these times.
ADOT reminds motorists that schedules may change due to weather or unforeseen factors.
“ADOT plans and constructs new freeways, additional lanes and other improvements in the Phoenix area as part of the Regional Transportation Plan for the Maricopa County region.”
Most current projects receive funding through Proposition 400, a sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004. In November last year, voters passed Proposition 479, which extends this half-cent tax for future transportation initiatives in Phoenix (source).
For up-to-date information about highway conditions, travelers can visit ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at AZ511.gov, download the az511 app for Apple or Android devices, or call 511.
