Eastbound US 60 in Tempe expected to reopen early next week following water line break

PHOENIX — A segment of eastbound U.S. 60 in Tempe that has been closed for almost a week due to a water line break is expected to reopen within the next few days, officials said Thursday.

Julian Dresang, Tempe’s deputy engineering and transportation director/city engineer, said during a press conference the roadway would reopen early next week if there are no setbacks.

Crews have already poured a segment of reinforced concrete on the eastbound side and will pour a second segment Thursday night, according to Dresang.

The lanes will then have to be striped before the closure is lifted, Dresang said.

The eastbound pavement had the least amount of damage, which made for a much clearer timeline for reopening, Dresang added.

Both sides of the freeway between Interstate 10 and Loop 101 have been closed since Saturday, when a 50-year-old pipe broke and resulted in 8 million gallons of lost water on and under the roadway.

There was no estimate for reopening the westbound lanes, which sustained more significant damage.

Pavement removal and replacement will be required for the full width of the westbound segment, Dresang said.

“We don’t have an estimate but are working as quickly as possible to make that happen,” Dresang said.

Drivers have been forced to use the Loop 202 Santan Freeway in the south and the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway in the north to get around the closure.

Tempe is footing the bill for repairs.

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