Westbound US 60 in Tempe could reopen by early next week

PHOENIX – Arizona highway officials are hopeful that the westbound lanes of U.S. 60 in Tempe will reopen by early next week.

Crews continue to work on a stretch of the East Valley roadway between McClintock Drive and Loop 101 Price Freeway that has been shut down for nearly two weeks after flooding caused by a broken pipe.

Tempe said Thursday crews were working around the clock and there was no timetable for reopening. But an Arizona Department of Transportation spokesman said Friday that contractors were making “significant progress” and that the 2-mile stretch could see traffic soon.

“At this stage, it’s anticipated westbound U.S. 60 will be ready to reopen by early next week,” Doug Nintzel told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

. @Tempegov contractors made significant progress w/concrete paving overnight on US 60 near McClintock Dr. We're working with Tempe & others to complete necessary work to reopen WB US 60 by early next week. Thx for support & patience as we partner w/Tempe on this major challenge. pic.twitter.com/BNT1C0jXVA

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) May 20, 2022

Flooding shut down the freeway in both directions May 7 after 8 million gallons of water poured from a 50-year-old pipe.

Eastbound lanes were reopened Sunday.

The city is paying for repairs but as of Friday hadn’t said how much that will be.

Mark Weber, the city’s interim deputy municipal utilities director, said Sunday, “It’s going to be significant.”

Earlier this week, Chris Kabala, Tempe’s principal civil engineer, said ADOT officials had final approval for reopening.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Taylor Kinnerup contributed to this report.

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