Brace yourselves, Phoenix drivers – the Arizona Department of Transportation has announced a slew of closures and restrictions hitting the freeways this weekend. These disruptions tie into ongoing improvement projects and are set to wreak some temporary havoc on the typical traffic flow from May 3 to May 6, including a significant shutdown on westbound Interstate 10 in the Chandler and Tempe areas.
Westbound I-10 will be completely closed between Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) and US 60 (Superstition Freeway) starting from 10 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday, compounding the dismay of weekend travelers. If that’s not enough, westbound on-ramps at Wild Horse Pass Blvd, and Chandler Blvd are also off-limits, as well as all Loop 202 ramps to westbound I-10. Per the advisory, a detour for those caught at the closure points to eastbound Loop 202, north on Loop 101, and then wings it to either westbound US 60 or westbound Loop 202 to reconnect with I-10 past the blockade. And for those steering towards the West Valley – the westbound/northbound Loop 202 (South Mountain Freeway) is pitched as a feasible alternative.
Loop 101 (Price Freeway) isn’t immune to the weekend's closure chaos, either. South between Guadalupe and Ray roads, it’s getting shut down from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for some pavement magic. Drivers normally cozying up to southbound Loop 101 via US 60 ramps will need new plans, as those too, are in for a lockdown, along with on-ramps at Broadway and Baseline roads. Drivers are advised to exit beforehand and alternatively, slip onto the southbound Price frontage road or take a local detour through Dobson Road or McClintock Drive.
Meanwhile, US 60 (Grand Avenue) is thinning down to one skinny lane in both directions in the Wittmann zone, thanks to pavement sealing work stretching from Friday to Sunday. If you’re wheeling west, you might want to hitch a ride up north on Loop 303, Lake Pleasant Parkway, and angle west on State Route 74. Eastbound traffic from Wickenburg has the inverse detour available. ADOT's news release also notes brief closures on State Route 87 for those near Scottsdale – with intermittent stoppages orchestrated by law enforcement.
ADOT reminds travelers that all of this is part of the grander scheme – the Maricopa County Regional Transportation Plan, largely funded by Proposition 400, a sales tax given the thumbs up by county voters for freeway improvements. Those itching for real-time updates can snoop around ADOT's Arizona Traveler Information site, use their mobile app, or dial 511 before getting behind the wheel.
