Drivers will see a few big freeway and road closures, as well as other restrictions along the Valley freeways this weekend.
The Arizona Department of Transportation recommends drivers plan ahead, consider alternate routes and use caution in work zones while the following restrictions are in place:
Southbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) closed between Thomas and McKellips roads from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (April 4) for rubberized asphalt paving. Southbound Loop 101 on-ramps at Chaparral and Indian School roads closed. DETOUR: Please consider alternate routes to avoid heavy traffic. Southbound Loop 101 traffic exiting at Indian School or Thomas roads will be directed to southbound Hayden Road/McClintock Drive. Consider southbound State Route 51 or I-17 as alternate freeway routes. Note: Northbound Loop 101 narrowed to two lanes in this area on Friday and Saturday nights (11 p.m. – 8 a.m.).
Bell Road closed in both directions near Grand Avenue for six to eight months starting at 10 p.m. Friday (April 1) for new overpass construction. When completed, the bridge will carry Bell Road over Grand Avenue and BNSF Railway tracks. No left turns from Grand Avenue to Bell Road allowed during closure. DETOUR: Access to businesses in area will be maintained. Primary detour is along Dysart, Greenway and Litchfield roads. Note: Bell Road closure is between 134th Drive and West Point Parkway in Surprise. Full closure will shorten construction schedule by several months and allow Bell Road to be reopened in time for holiday shopping season in November.
Westbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) ramp to southbound State Route 51 closed from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (April 4) for bridge maintenance. DETOUR: Westbound Loop 101 HOV-lane ramp to southbound SR 51 will be available this weekend. Westbound Loop 101 drivers also can exit to southbound Tatum Boulevard or Cave Creek Road to Union Hills Drive to reach SR 51.
Westbound Interstate 10 ramp to northbound Loop 303 closed from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday (April 2) for construction work. DETOUR: Westbound I-10 drivers can exit at Sarival Avenue or Perryville Road and use McDowell Road to northbound Cotton Lane to reach Loop 303. Note: Westbound I-10 traffic traveling to Luke Air Force Base for air show can use northbound Litchfield Road.
Southbound Interstate 17 narrowed to two lanes overnight between Thomas Road and I-10 “Stack” interchange from 9 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday (April 4) for pavement repair. Southbound I-17 ramps to I-10 (both directions) closed. Southbound I-17 on-ramp at Thomas Road and off-ramp at McDowell Road closed. DETOUR: Please allow extra travel time. Be prepared to use alternate routes to reach I-10 during overnight restrictions.
Southbound Loop 303 ramp to Grand Avenue closed from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (April 4) for barrier construction. DETOUR: Southbound Loop 303 traffic can continue to Bell Road exit and turn to enter northbound Loop 303 to reach Grand Avenue exit. Note: The new northbound Loop 303 on- and off-ramps at Grand Avenue and southbound Loop 303 on-ramp from Grand Avenue are scheduled to open by 11:30 p.m. Friday (April 1)
