59th Avenue frontage road construction starts on South Mountain Freeway

PHOENIX – Changes are in store for motorists traveling along 59th Avenue south of Interstate 10 with work starting on frontage roads between Roosevelt Street and Lower Buckeye Road in west Phoenix as part of Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway construction.

The Arizona Department of Transportation project is creating 2.5-mile frontage roads to maintain northbound and southbound access to businesses and residences adjacent to the freeway.

With various traffic shifts and lane restrictions planned along 59th Avenue for this construction, motorists should consider alternate routes such as 51st and 67th avenues. While business access will be maintained at all times during freeway and frontage road construction, delays are likely.

Currently, crews are relocating various underground utilities (cable, water, power, sewer, gas) along the 59th Avenue alignment prior to construction of the frontage roads.

To complete the freeway and frontage roads from Roosevelt Street to Lower Buckeye Road, more than 1 million cubic yards of dirt needs to be moved, compacted and graded. The one-way frontage roads will include two travel lanes in each direction and will have traffic signals at each major intersection.

During construction, motorists should slow down, obey the speed limit and allow extra travel time.

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.

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