Lane alterations on US 60 improved safety, traffic flow in East Valley

PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation said the changes made to a busy stretch of highway in the East Valley last month have improved safety and traffic flow in the area.

Westbound U.S. 60 in Tempe between Loop 101 and Interstate 10 was closed for a weekend in mid-July to restripe the roadway and install new signage.

“Over the past month, [Arizona Department of Public Safety] troopers have indicated they’re responding to fewer fender benders in that area, and that was a big goal for us,” ADOT spokesman Doug Nintzel told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday.

Before the changes, only the left lane of the four-lane stretch of U.S. 60 — aka the Superstition Freeway — could access the eastbound I-10 ramp toward Tucson.

During the closure, adjustments were made to create an additional lane that leads to the ramp.

“That move expanded the capacity of the two left lanes, since drivers can use either of those lanes now to head to that ramp,” Nintzel said.

Doing so made it easier for drivers attempting to move left across lanes to reach the ramp.

It’s not just law enforcement officials who have noticed an improvement. Nintzel said drivers have expressed their pleasure, too.

“They’ve actually taken the time to write us and say, ‘You fixed it,’ and they really like the change,” he said.

The updated section of U.S. 60 had been a top-five area for freeway crashes in the Valley, Nintzel said.

“I’ve talked to DPS about these lane assignment changes,” he said. “They’ve used the term ‘night and day,’ so it appears drivers have done a good job with these changes, and we have had fewer reports of crashes.”

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Kathy Cline contributed to this report.

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