Only 1 Phoenix-area freeway closure planned for this weekend

PHOENIX — Thanksgiving is still a week away, but drivers might want to give an early thank you for a mostly clear weekend on Valley freeways.

The Arizona Department of Transportation said there is only one Phoenix-area closure scheduled this weekend, and it won’t last long.

Southbound Interstate 17 will be closed for bridge work from 6 p.m. Sunday to 4 a.m. Monday between the I-10 “Stack” interchange and Grant Street near downtown Phoenix.

NEW: An update to our weekend travel advisory, I-17 SB will be closed between the I-10 Stack and Grant on Sunday night from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. for bridge repairs. Read more here: https://t.co/uXW60hWrRm pic.twitter.com/KoeswY3El3

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) November 23, 2019

The eastbound and westbound ramps from I-10 to southbound I-17 will also be closed, as will the eastbound I-10 off-ramp at 27th Avenue.

However, the I-17 frontage road between McDowell Road and Grant Street and both southbound I-17 ramps to I-10 will stay open. Southbound I-17 traffic will be able to detour onto eastbound I-10 through downtown to get around the closure.

With no other restrictions planned, drivers will get a break from ongoing construction on several freeways that have been subject to frequent closures, including the Loop 202 Ed Pastor Memorial Freeway.

Construction on the 22-mile extension will provide a link between the East Valley and West Valley and a much-needed alternative to Interstate 10 through downtown Phoenix, but has affected Valley drivers for months on the weekends.

The freeway, which is expected to be completed in 2020, was renamed from the South Mountain Freeway in October to honor the late congressman.

A lane widening project on the Loop 101 Pima Freeway is another long-term endeavor that has hampered Valley drivers.

The $185 million project will widen 13 miles of the Loop 101 between Interstate 17 and Pima Road.

The project started in February and is scheduled for completion in early 2021, according to ADOT.

It’s not clear yet if any Valley freeways will have restrictions for the Thanksgiving weekend, but it looks to be a busy time on the roads.

AAA Arizona said more than 55 million people nationwide will travel via vehicle for the holiday, a 3% increase from last year.

For drivers planning to head north, be aware of snowy and potentially dangerous roads.

ADOT snowplows will operate around the clock to clear roads and provide safe roads for travelers.

ADOT provides real-time highway conditions online, on Twitter or over the phone at 511. Drivers can also get alerts and alternate route notifications via ADOT’s mobile app.

Get the latest KTAR News 92.3 FM traffic alerts sent straight to your phone by texting “TRAFFIC” to 411923. 

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story said their were no closures this weekend, but the Arizona Department of Transportation changed its plans.

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