It’s January in north Scottsdale: Golf, cars and a freeway project?

One of the questions we get when talking about the early January start of the Loop 101 Improvement Project between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road in north Scottsdale is: Will the freeway work impact access to events like car shows and the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament?

While I’ll stop short of saying it absolutely won’t have any impact, a lot of thought has gone into keeping the freeway project from being an issue for event visitors.

Freeway closures between Shea and Princess/Pima were scheduled over the first two January weekends to allow crews to start setting work zones and remove the top layer of worn asphalt pavement within the 4.5-mile project’s boundaries. The project team is getting that important work done before the bigger special events in the area, including the Phoenix Open, are ready to go.

ADOT has worked closely with the city of Scottsdale on planning efforts to keep freeway traffic moving. No other full closures will be scheduled at least through Phoenix Open weekend, which also is known for a rather large football game.

Crews will do work behind barrier walls and elsewhere as their mission to add another lane in each direction north of Shea Boulevard gets rolling.

Ultimately, the Loop 101 improvements are part of a two-year $108 million project scheduled as part of the region’s transportation plan managed by the Maricopa Association of Governments. A key source of funding is Proposition 400, a half-cent sales tax for transportation approved by voters in 2004.

Additional work will include traffic capacity enhancements, such as the conversion of the busy Loop 101 interchange at Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard into a diamond configuration.

If you’re a driver who uses Loop 101 between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road, we can provide project information at azdot.gov/Loop101PrincessToShea. The site provides a way for you to sign up to receive emailed information about planned closures to help you consider alternate routes.

Don’t forget that real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov and via the AZ511 app (download free for Apple and Android devices). ADOT also provides highway condition updates via its Twitter/X feed, @ArizonaDOT.