Two for the price of one: How the lane splits on Interstate 10 save time and prevent additional closures

Splitting up can be hard to do – but sometimes it’s the best thing for everyone involved.  

Take, for instance, the lane splits on Interstate 10 in the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project area. Drivers began navigating lane splits in both directions last fall between 40th Street and Broadway Road and a new split will go into place along westbound I-10 between 32nd and 24th streets later this summer, and additional splits will go into place in both directions later this year..

Lane splits provide crews the room they need to continue working while also keeping travel lanes open. Lane restrictions on this project take place on weekends and overnight on weeknights, so they impact fewer drivers on the road.

In April 2024, crews were able to keep drivers on the road, while closing one side of the split over 24 nights. Without the split, crews would have been required to shut down the entire freeway to get the work done. The split configuration is estimated to have saved the project four to six weekends of full closures – and that’s just for the work done in April.

In short, lane splits keep lanes open and move construction work forward.

New to driving the area? Rest assured that you will be able to get to where you’re going.  ADOT encourages all drivers to pay close attention to the signage on the roadway, especially if your exit is in the Broadway Curve area. 

Motorists who are just passing through the area and not exiting, can choose to drive on either side of the split and still get to their destination beyond the Broadway Cuve area. For westbound I-10 drivers looking to exit at SR 143 or 40th Street, please choose the right side of the split to get to your exit. 

 Please note:  The Arizona Department of The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to use designated detours when there are closures on state highways. Schedules can quickly change because of weather and other unforeseen situations. For the most up-to-date information, we encourage you to download the Interstate 10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project’s free mobile app, TheCurve or visit the Alerts section of the project website before you travel