Expect possible delays due to major closures on Interstate 10 and Loop 101 for the South Mountain Freeway Project and another in the northern part of the Valley.
The Loop 101 closures are part of the two-year project to add a fourth lane to 13 miles. In addition to that fourth lane, we were told the $185-million project would involve making several other improvements to the freeway between I-17 to Pima Road. During the closure, the speed limit will drop to 55 miles an hour.
The Arizona Department of Transportation provided the following information on closures and alternates:
- Eastbound Interstate 10 closed between 67th and 51st avenues from 9 p.m. Friday to 3 p.m. Sunday(Feb. 10) for bridge work at the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway interchange work zone. Eastbound I-10 on-ramps at 91st, 83rd, 79th, and 75th avenues also closed. DETOUR: Consider alternate routes. The eastbound I-10 access road and McDowell Road or Van Buren Street will serve as local alternate routes. However, drivers on eastbound I-10 should consider exiting ahead of the closure and using other alternate routes to limit delays.
- Eastbound Loop 101 closed between Interstate 17 and Seventh Street in north Phoenix from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (Feb. 11) for placement of temporary barrier and lane-stripe adjustments as part of a new widening project. Both I-17 ramps to eastbound Loop 101 closed. Eastbound Loop 101 on-ramp at 27th Avenue also closed. DETOUR: Eastbound Loop 101 traffic can exit at 27th Avenue and detour along Beardsley frontage road. Expect heavy traffic. To limit delays, consider other alternate routes, including eastbound Bell Road, Union Hills Drive or Deer Valley Road.
- Pecos Road closed in both directions between 17th Avenue and 24th Street in the Ahwatukee area from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (Feb. 11) for work to set up a traffic shift as part of Loop 202 (South Mountain Freeway) construction. DETOUR: Consider using Chandler Boulevard as an alternate route. NOTE: Pecos Road traffic between 17th Avenue and area west of Desert Foothills Parkway will be moved to temporary alignment on Loop 202 pavement by 5 a.m. Monday (Feb. 11).
- Grand Avenue (US 60) intersection with 75th Avenue closed overnight from 9 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday (Feb. 10) for traffic signal maintenance. DETOUR: Consider using 67th or 83rd avenues for north-south travel and Northern or Peoria avenues for east-west travel. Olive Avenue overpass at Grand Avenue will remain open.
