Eastbound South Mountain Freeway work over next 10 days

PHOENIX – For the next 10 days, eastbound drivers should watch for delays on the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway while construction crews continue placing rubberized asphalt on the central and eastern sections.

The Arizona Department of Transportation has taken advantage of lighter traffic during the current public health situation to extend hours for freeway construction and maintenance. In the past, most work has been limited to nights and weekends to limit traffic congestion.

Beginning Thursday, April 16, as many as three eastbound lanes will be closed in areas between Estrella Drive and 40th Street through Sunday, April 26. Specifically:

• From 10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, through 10 p.m. Friday, April 17, the left three lanes of the South Mountain Freeway will be closed between Estrella Drive and 17th Avenue. 
• From 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday, April 20, the right three lanes will be closed in the same area. In addition, the on- and off-ramps at Vee Quiva Drive, the on-ramp at Estrella Drive and the off-ramp at 17th Avenue will be closed.
• Between 17th Avenue and 40th Street, the left three lanes will be closed for three days, from 10 p.m. Monday, April 20, until 10 p.m. Friday, April 24.
• In the same area from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday, April 27, the right three lanes will be closed, as will the 17th Avenue off-ramp and both the on- and off-ramps at Desert Foothills Parkway, 24th Street and 40th Street.

During the work, eastbound drivers may want to consider following I-10 through central Phoenix to avoid delays.

There are no westbound restrictions planned during the 10-day period.

Extending the time when construction and maintenance crews can close freeway lanes provides a safer environment for workers and can allow some work to be completed sooner within overall project timelines. In addition, working during the week frees up work crews for additional work on weekends in the future

With a safe and reliable transportation system essential to Arizonans, ADOT is continuing improvements along nearly 7,000 miles of state highways as part of the state’s pandemic response. Rest areas remain open statewide, and ADOT’s Traffic Operations Center continues operating around the clock to monitor freeway conditions and dispatch maintenance crews as necessary.

For up-to-date traffic information, visit ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at AZ511.gov, call 511 or check ADOT’s Twitter account, @ArizonaDOT.