Road Closures

Weekend freeway restrictions in Phoenix area

Several Phoenix area freeway improvement projects will require closures or restrictions this weekend. In addition, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) crews are updating the speed limit along a stretch of Interstate 10 in Phoenix.

By next week, ADOT crews will finish adjusting the speed limit from 55 to 65 miles per hour along westbound I-10 between Guadalupe Road and 40th Street in Phoenix. The change was made along eastbound I-10 in that area on Wednesday (Aug. 13).

The speed limit was changed to 65 miles per hour along most Valley freeways in 2001. Because of construction activity on I-10, including the recent addition of a quieter rubberized asphalt surface, ADOT waited to change the speed limit along this stretch of the Maricopa Freeway. Drivers are advised that the existing speed limit remains in effect until the signs are changed.

The following closures or restrictions are scheduled along Valley freeways this weekend:

Southbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) closed between Chaparral and McKellips roads from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (Aug. 18) for HOV (carpool) lane construction. DETOUR: Drivers are strongly encouraged to use State Route 51 and local streets as alternate routes.

Northbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) narrowed to one lane between Shea Boulevard and Hayden Road from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (Aug. 18) for HOV (carpool) lane construction. DETOUR: Consider alternate routes. Be prepared to slow down and merge safely in the work zone.

Project benefit: ADOT is constructing 15 miles of carpool lanes from Princess Drive to Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway). The eight-mile section from Via de Ventura to Loop 202 is scheduled to open this fall. The remainder of the project will open in spring 2009.

Interstate 17 narrowed to one lane in each direction overnight between Happy Valley and Jomax roads from 9 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 16) for freeway widening work. DETOUR: Please slow down and merge safely in the work zone.

Project benefit: ADOT is adding new lanes and interchanges along I-17 from Loop 101 to the Carefree Highway to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. The project is expected to be complete in 2009.

State Route 347 narrowed to one lane in each direction between Riggs and Maricopa roads from 9 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 16) and again from 9 p.m. Saturday to 11 a.m. Sunday (Aug. 17) for highway paving. DETOUR: Drivers should allow extra travel time, slow down and merge safely in the work zone.

Northbound State Route 87 narrowed to one lane at Bush Highway for interchange construction. This ongoing restriction will end at 6 a.m. Monday (Aug. 18). DETOUR: Drivers should allow extra travel time, slow down and merge safely in the work zone.

For a complete listing of freeway and highway closures and restrictions across Arizona visit ADOT's Travel Information Site at www.az511.com or call 511.

Source: ADOT