Phoenix-area freeway closures should not impact Cardinals game traffic
Oct 13, 2017, 4:03 AM
Philadelphia Eagles' Vinny Curry, left, sacks Arizona Cardinals' Carson Palmer during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
PHOENIX — Traffic in the Phoenix area is expected to be snarled as the Arizona Cardinals face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday.
But Cardinals fans who are travelling across the Valley should not have to worry about any traffic from highway closures.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, the westbound Interstate 10 at 59th Avenue will be closed starting at 10 p.m. on Friday to allow for construction of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway.
But the freeway is scheduled to reopen at 8 a.m. on Sunday, several hours before the Cardinals will kick off against the Buccaneers. The department said heavy traffic is anticipated on the westbound highway before and after the game.
According to the department, westbound traffic during the closure will be able to exit and enter the freeway on the on- and off-ramps at 59th Avenue, but delays are expected. The on-ramps at 75th and 67th avenues will also be closed to help reduce traffic backups.
In order to avoid traffic, drivers should plan on taking alternate routes, such as the Loop 101 west of the Interstate 17 or using local streets to re-enter the highway past the closure point.
Fans of the Arizona Coyotes who are attending Saturday’s game against the Boston Bruins at the Gila River Arena in Glendale are encouraged to use the Loop 101.
The department said that drivers on the I-10 should expect a series of nightly and weekend I-10 eastbound and westbound closures at 59th Avenue through mid-November to allow for construction of the I-10/Loop 202 interchange.
But that is not the only Phoenix area freeway or street closure that is scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 13.
Yorkshire Drive/Utopia Road will be closed in both directions approaching the I-17 from 9 p.m. on Friday to 5 p.m. on Saturday to allow for the installation of a wrong-way vehicle detection program. The on- and off-ramps on the I-17 at Yorkshire Drive/Utopia Road will also be closed.
The north- and southbound I-17 off-ramps will be closed at Northern Avenue from 9 p.m. on Friday to noon on Saturday.
The northbound I-17 ramp to the eastbound Loop 101 will be narrowed to one lane from 9 p.m. on Saturday to 2 p.m. on Sunday to allow for the installation of a wrong-way vehicle detection program.
The westbound I-10 will be closed at 59th Avenue from 9 p.m. on Sunday to 5 a.m. on Monday and from 9 p.m. on Monday to 5 a.m. on Monday for the bridge construction at Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway interchange.
The HOV on- and off-ramps on the I-10 at Third Street will be closed from 10 p.m. on Friday to 5 a.m. on Monday to allow crews to maintain the pavement.
