Freeway construction, Ironman race to impede Valley traffic this weekend

PHOENIX — The Valley freeway construction workload is easing up this weekend after a particularly busy period of roadwork.

However, motorists still need to watch out for restrictions in several metro Phoenix locations, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Weekend Freeway Travel Advisory for Nov. 15-18. (All times below are subject to change.)

Traffic will be squeezed on Interstate 10 in the vicinity of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport due to the ongoing Broadway Curve Improvement Project.

🚧 Eastbound I-10 restricted between the I-17 "Split" interchange near Sky Harbor Airport and US 60 (Superstition Freeway)
🚧 Both directions of Loop 202 (Santan Fwy) closed between McQueen and Cooper roads

Weekend Freeway Travel Advisory full details: https://t.co/CJOBwWM4zW pic.twitter.com/INAXdayM4k

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) November 15, 2024

Significantly, the southbound I-17 ramp to eastbound I-10 in Phoenix will be closed from 10 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday for pavement marking work. In addition, eastbound I-10 will be reduced to two lanes and associated ramps will be closed from the I-17 “Split” interchange in Phoenix to US 60 (Superstition Freeway) in Tempe.

On top of that, the ramps from both directions of I-10 to eastbound US 60 will be closed.

Traffic can bypass the I-10 restrictions by taking the eastbound Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway to the southbound Loop 101 Price Freeway to westbound US 60 or the westbound Loop 202 Santan Freeway.

Where else is there freeway construction this weekend?

The only other freeway construction on the weekend schedule is in Chandler as work resumes on the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway widening project.

First, all eastbound Loop 202 lanes and the westbound HOV lane will be closed between McQueen and Cooper roads from midnight Friday to noon Saturday. The next night, the westbound side of the same stretch and the eastbound HOV lane will be closed from midnight Saturday to noon Sunday.

Traffic can detour around the closure via Pecos Road or Germann Road.

Endurance race takes over East Valley streets

While there aren’t any other restrictions related to freeway construction this weekend, the Ironman Arizona triathlon will affect East Valley traffic.

State Route 87 (Beeline Highway) will be used for the bike portion of Sunday’s endurance race, while the swimming and running legs will take place in and around Tempe Town Lake.

To make room for the bikers, traffic on SR 87 will be limited to one lane in each direction between McDowell Road in Mesa and Shea Boulevard in Fountain Hills from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The race will also mess with traffic and public transportation in Tempe, with multiple street closures and transit detours.

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