Grand Canyon Times

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has announced that the southbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) off-ramp at Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard will be closed for reconstruction starting March 25. The closure, part of an ongoing freeway widening project in north Scottsdale, is expected to last two months with a reopening scheduled for late May.

Motorists who usually take this route are advised to use alternate routes, such as exiting at Princess Drive/Pima Road and using the southbound Loop 101 frontage road to reach their destination. ADOT urges drivers to allow extra travel time, reduce speed, and give way to traffic entering the freeway during construction.

This closure is part of the $108 million Pima Freeway Improvement Project, which began in January 2024. The project involves reconstructing on- and off-ramps between Shea Boulevard and Pima Road/Princess Drive to accommodate a wider freeway. Completion of the entire project is slated for early 2026.

Enhancements include adding one lane in each direction along a 4.5-mile stretch north of Shea Boulevard, converting the Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard interchange into a diamond configuration, and installing new signs, traffic signals, and lighting.

Funding for the Loop 101 widening project comes partly from Proposition 400, a half-cent sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004. This initiative falls under the Regional Transportation Plan managed by the Maricopa Association of Governments.

For real-time highway conditions, travelers can visit ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov or use the az511 app available on Apple or Android devices. Alternatively, information is accessible by calling 511.