Drivers encouraged to avoid I-10 closures in West Valley this weekend
Jul 27, 2018, 4:05 AM
(Flickr/Nate Grigg)
(Flickr/Nate Grigg)
PHOENIX — Drivers were encouraged to avoid taking part of the Interstate 10 in west Phoenix over the weekend, as the Arizona Department of Transportation would continue construction on part of the westbound highway.
The westbound I-10 will be closed between 51st and 67th avenues from 10 p.m. on Friday to 5 a.m. on Sunday for bridge construction on the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway.
The on-ramps at 27th, 35th and 43rd avenues and the 59th Avenue overpass will be closed and the southbound 59th Avenue will be restricted from McDowell Road to Roosevelt Street to help prevent backups.
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During these closures, westbound I-10 traffic can exit the freeway at 51st Avenue and detour north to McDowell Road or south to Van Buren Street and return to westbound I-10 at 67th Avenue.
The closures will allow two large cranes to safely set six concrete beams over the westbound I-10 travel lanes. Those cranes would eventually support one of the flyover bridges connecting I-10 with the South Mountain Freeway.
The department was encouraging drivers to consider alternate routes or allow themselves extra travel time.
The closures were expected to affect traffic in the West Valley, as the Arizona Cardinals were holding training camp practice at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday.
The northbound Loop 303 would be narrowed to one lane between I-10 and Thomas Road from 10 p.m. on Friday to 9 a.m. on Saturday, while the southbound portion of the highway would be narrowed to two lanes between Indian School and Thomas roads during that same time frame.
Those restrictions would allow for the installation of a temporary concrete barrier on the right shoulders of the highway.
The north- and southbound State Route 51 off-ramps at Indian School Road would be restricted with no turns allowed to eastbound Indian School Road from 9 p.m. on Friday to 5 a.m. on Monday for a Phoenix waterline project.
The South Mountain Freeway interchange will be a 22-mile freeway that will provide a direct link between the West Valley and the East Valley.
It was approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985 and 2004 as part of a comprehensive regional transportation plan.
It was expected to be complete in 2019.
