I-17 101 traffic interchange

Consider leaving the car at home for your I-10 commute in the West Valley

Consider leaving the car at home for your I-10 commute in the West Valley

October 12, 2017

PHOENIX – Commuting between the West Valley and downtown Phoenix can be a grind due to heavy traffic on Interstate 10. With construction underway on connections between I-10 and the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway, there’s even more reason for motorists to consider alternative ways of getting where they need to be.

With October designated as Rideshare Month, the Arizona Department of Transportation and Valley Metro are encouraging those who travel regularly along I-10 in the West Valley to leave their cars at home and take the bus, carpool, vanpool, ride a bike, walk or work from home.

While lane restrictions and extended closures for South Mountain Freeway construction aren’t scheduled during rush hours along I-10, this stretch of freeway is the most-traveled in the state with approximately 200,000 vehicles using it per day.

There’s also a reduced speed limit of 55 mph through the construction zone between 43rd and 75th avenues as ADOT completes improvements for the South Mountain Freeway project.

“While capacity has not been reduced on I-10 through the South Mountain Freeway work zone, the lanes are narrower and traffic has been shifted to provide a safe work zone for the I-10 widening improvements that are part of the South Mountain Freeway project,” said Rob Samour, ADOT’s senior deputy state engineer for major projects. “Obeying the speed limit, paying attention and not driving distracted in the work zone are absolutely necessary as we look forward to providing motorists an alternative to I-10 when traveling between the East Valley and West Valley.”

south-mountain-freeway-i10-traffic2
Recently, South Mountain Freeway project team members participated in a Valley Metro webinar to transportation coordinators representing hundreds of large Valley businesses. Topics included an overview of current construction, upcoming traffic restrictions and the need to consider commuting alternatives.

“Rideshare Month offers a great opportunity to make a change in your daily commute if you drive solo. Thousands of Maricopa County residents are supporting clean air initiatives and relieving daily commute stress by being in a carpool, vanpool or riding the bus or train to work,” said Scott Smith, Valley Metro CEO. “Reducing the amount of cars on our freeways, or avoiding the commute altogether by working from home, brings home many personal and community benefits.”  

For more information on ridesharing, including looking for existing carpools and vanpools you can join and transit options, please visit ShareTheRide.com.

The South Mountain Freeway will provide a long-planned direct link between the East Valley and West Valley and a much-needed alternative to I-10 through downtown Phoenix. Approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985 and again in 2004 as part of a comprehensive regional transportation plan, the South Mountain Freeway will complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system in the Valley.

I-10 travelers can stay informed about the South Mountain Freeway project and sign up for updates and weekly traffic alerts at SouthMountainFreeway.com.