Eastbound US 60 reopens in Tempe after weeklong closure due to water line break

PHOENIX — The eastbound lanes of U.S. 60 in Tempe were back open Sunday following a closure that lasted just over a week due to a water line break.

The lanes were reopened between Interstate 10 and McClintock Drive, along with the eastbound I-10 on-ramp at Broadway Road and the southbound State Route 143 on-ramp at University Drive, the Arizona Department of Transportation said.

Westbound U.S. 60 remains closed between the Loop 101 Price Freeway and McClintock Drive.

“[It’s] going to be open very soon. We’re working 24/7 to get it done,” Chris Kabala, principal civil engineer for Tempe told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Monday.

“We’re very pleased with the contractors’ commitment to get this done and we appreciate the public’s patience.”

The eastbound U.S. 60 off-ramp at McClintock Drive is also closed – contractors are using the section to stage equipment for ongoing repair work on the westbound lanes, ADOT said.

The road closed on May 7 when a 50-year-old pipe broke and flooded the lanes with 8 million gallons of water.

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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