Grand Canyon Times

Improvement projects will lead to closures or lane restrictions on Phoenix-area freeways this weekend, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use detour routes during these restrictions from March 7-10.

Southbound Interstate 17 will be reduced to two lanes between Loop 303 and Happy Valley Road in north Phoenix from Friday at 9 p.m. until Sunday at 8 a.m. This is for lane striping as part of a pavement improvement project. On-ramps at Loop 303 and Dixileta Drive, along with off- and on-ramps at Jomax Road, will be closed. ADOT advises drivers to "allow extra travel time and be prepared to slow down and merge safely in all work zones."

Northbound Interstate 17 will also narrow to two lanes between Dove Valley Road and State Route 74/Carefree Highway from Saturday at 1 p.m. until 11 p.m., for similar improvements. The northbound I-17 on-ramps at Loop 303 and Dove Valley Road, as well as off-ramps at SR 74, will be closed. Additionally, the frontage road between Loop 303 and SR 74 will not be accessible.

Interstate 10 will see three lanes restricted in both directions between the I-17 “Split” interchange near Sky Harbor Airport and US 60 (Superstition Freeway) starting Friday at 8 p.m. until Monday at 4 a.m., due to work on the Broadway Curve Improvement Project. Note that westbound I-10 lane restrictions are expected to end by Sunday morning. The westbound I-10 on-ramp at Baseline Road is also scheduled for closure this weekend.

The southbound State Route 143 (Hohokam Expressway) will close between Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) and I-10 near Sky Harbor Airport from Friday night through Sunday morning for a traffic shift related to the same improvement project. An alternate route via westbound Loop 202 to eastbound I-10 is suggested.

Schedules may change due to weather or other factors. ADOT continues planning new freeways, additional lanes, and improvements under the Regional Transportation Plan for Maricopa County, funded partly by Proposition 400's sales tax approved in 2004. Proposition 479 was recently passed by voters in November, extending this tax for future transportation projects.

For real-time highway conditions, visit az511.gov or use the az511 app available for Apple or Android devices.