Drivers throughout the Valley should watch out for delays on the roads this weekend, as several freeways and ramps will be closed or restricted for improvement projects.
The Arizona Department of Transportation recommends drivers plan ahead, consider alternate routes or adjust travel schedules and use caution in work zones while the following restrictions are in place:
Northbound State Route 51 (Piestewa Freeway) closed between Bell Road and Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (Feb. 22) for sign-structure installation. Northbound SR 51 on-ramps at Greenway Road, Bell Road and Union Hills Drive closed. DETOUR: Consider exiting ahead of closure. Northbound SR 51 traffic exiting at Greenway or Bell roads can travel east to northbound Tatum Boulevard or west to northbound Cave Creek Road to connection with Loop 101. I-17 also serves as alternate northbound freeway route.
Eastbound Grand Avenue (US 60) closed between Reems and Dysart roads in Surprise from 7 a.m. Sunday to 3 a.m. Monday (Feb. 22) for lane striping and barrier wall placement. Local business access available via Bell Road. DETOUR: Consider using southbound Reems Road to eastbound Greenway Road and northbound Dysart Road to reconnect with Grand Avenue. Note: Work is part of project to build new Bell Road/Grand Avenue interchange.
Interstate 17 closed intermittently (up to 15 minutes each time) in both directions between Cactus and Thunderbird roads from 4:30 a.m. to noon Sunday (Feb. 21) for APS and Cox Communications overhead cable work. I-17 frontage roads closed in both directions between Cactus and Thunderbird roads. Northbound I-17 on-ramp at Cactus and southbound I-17 on-ramp at Thunderbird closed. DETOUR: Please allow extra travel time. Local frontage road traffic should consider alternate routes, including 19th and 35th avenues.
Southbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) off- and on-ramps at Shea Boulevard closed from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 20) for widening project. Southbound Loop 101 right lane also closed near Shea Boulevard. Northbound Loop 101 off- and on-ramps at Shea Boulevard closed from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 21) for widening project. Northbound Loop 101 right lane also closed near Shea Boulevard. DETOUR: Consider using ramps at 90th Street or Cactus Road.
Northbound Interstate 17 narrowed to one lane overnight between the I-10 “Split” interchange near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Seventh Avenue from 9 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday (Feb. 22) for pavement repair. Eastbound I-10 ramp to northbound I-17 closed. DETOUR: Consider using westbound I-10 in the downtown Phoenix area as alternate route. Please allow extra travel time.
