Demolition starts on Phoenix homes in way of Loop 202 expansion

PHOENIX — Crews began demolishing the first of almost 200 vacant homes Thursday morning, preparation for the expansion of a Phoenix-area freeway.

The Arizona Department of Transportation spent just about 20 years buying up the properties — houses, businesses and industrial sites — in the southeast Valley for the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway expansion.

When complete, the segment will link suburbs in the west and east.

Homes began coming down near 26th Street and Pecos Road.

(KTAR Photo/Jim Cross)

Freeway construction was set to begin next year. The $1.8 billion project was expected to take four years.

While there had been some protesting over the extension, including a lawsuit, ADOT’s plans have rolled ahead.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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