Phoenix-area drivers are being urged to plan ahead this weekend as several major freeway closures and lane restrictions are scheduled across the Valley. The Arizona Department of Transportation announced that multiple construction and improvement projects will affect travel on State Route 51, Loop 101, Loop 303, and State Route 347 between Friday night and Monday morning. Transportation officials say motorists should expect delays, allow extra travel time, and use alternate routes when possible.
One of the largest closures will occur in central Phoenix, where southbound State Route 51 will be completely closed between Indian School Road and Interstate 10. The closure is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Friday and remain in place until 5 a.m. Monday. The shutdown is part of an ongoing pavement improvement project. During the closure, southbound on-ramps at Glendale Avenue, Bethany Home Road, and Highland Avenue will also be closed. Drivers exiting SR 51 at Indian School Road are expected to encounter significant delays. ADOT recommends using Seventh Street, 24th Street, or Interstate 17 as alternate routes into downtown Phoenix and toward Sky Harbor Airport.
In the West Valley, northbound Loop 101, also known as the Agua Fria Freeway, will be closed between Interstate 10 and Indian School Road from 9 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday. The closure is tied to ongoing work on the Loop 101 and Interstate 10 interchange improvement project. Officials suggest drivers use 91st Avenue, 99th Avenue, or Interstate 17 as alternate routes while construction is underway.
In Scottsdale and northeast Phoenix, travelers on Loop 101, the Pima Freeway, should also prepare for delays. Arizona’s Family reported that the freeway will be narrowed to two lanes in both directions between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive beginning at 10 p.m. Friday and continuing through 5 a.m. Monday. Drivers can expect periodic ramp closures and slower traffic throughout the construction zone. ADOT noted that Interstate 17 may provide a useful alternative route for some travelers.
In north Phoenix, eastbound Loop 303 will experience overnight closures between 43rd Avenue and Interstate 17. Arizona’s Family reported that the freeway will be shut down from 9 p.m. Friday until 8 a.m. Saturday and again from 9 p.m. Saturday until 8 a.m. Sunday as crews continue work on the Loop 303 widening and interchange project. Drivers are advised to use 43rd Avenue and Dove Valley Road as a detour to reach Interstate 17.
ADOT also announced that northbound Interstate 17 will be narrowed to three lanes between Dixileta Drive and Loop 303/Sonoran Desert Drive from 4:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sunday. However, the northbound I-17 off-ramp at Loop 303 and Sonoran Desert Drive will remain open during the lane restriction.
Drivers traveling between the Phoenix metro area and the City of Maricopa should also be prepared for delays. The intersection of State Route 347 and Riggs Road will be intermittently closed for up to 15 minutes at a time between 4 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday. The closures are necessary for utility relocation and traffic signal work connected to the upcoming SR 347 Improvement Project, which is expected to begin later this summer.
Transportation officials stressed that all closure schedules remain subject to change because of weather conditions, emergency situations, or construction-related factors. Drivers are encouraged to check current traffic conditions before leaving home through ADOT’s AZ511 system, the AZ511 mobile application, or by calling 511.
The weekend construction work is part of a larger effort to improve traffic flow, modernize freeway infrastructure, and accommodate continued population growth throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. Many of these projects are funded through regional transportation programs approved by Maricopa County voters and are intended to reduce congestion while preparing the Valley’s freeway system for future growth.
Source: AZFamily
