I-10 closures needed to pour bridge deck for South Mountain Freeway

A major step forward this weekend for construction of a Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway interchange in the West Valley will require a westbound closure of Interstate 10 followed by an eastbound closure, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Crews with Connect 202 Partners, the developer of the South Mountain Freeway, will be pouring concrete above I-10 travel lanes to create the deck of a 1,565-foot flyover ramp that will eventually connect to I-10.

Westbound I-10 will be closed between 51st and 67th avenues from 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, to 4 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. Eastbound I-10 will then close between 67th and 51st avenues from 4 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, well before the end of the Arizona Cardinals’ game against the San Francisco 49ers (1:25 p.m. kickoff).

During the westbound closure, traffic exiting at 51st Avenue can detour to the westbound I-10 access road, as well as Van Buren Street or McDowell Road, before re-entering I-10 at 67th Avenue. In addition, the westbound I-10 on-ramps at 27th, 35th and 43rd avenues will be closed to help reduce traffic backups.

During the eastbound closure, traffic exiting at 67th Avenue can detour to Van Buren Street or McDowell Road, before re-entering I-10 at 51st Avenue (the eastbound I-10 access road from 67th and 51st avenues is closed during this work). In addition, the eastbound I-10 on-ramps at 91st, 83rd and 75th avenues will be closed to help reduce traffic backups.

To avoid delays on I-10, motorists should consider alternate routes, including the Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) west of Interstate 17, or exiting I-10 sooner and taking local streets to re-enter past the closure point.

Motorists should also be aware that 59th Avenue will also be closed in both directions between I-10 and Roosevelt Street from 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28.

During the closures, crews will pump approximately 730 cubic yards of concrete, enough to fill more than 60 dump trucks, into the steel-reinforced deck on the flyover ramp, the longest of five ramps that will be part of the interchange.

Once the concrete is poured, a self-propelled concrete leveling machine called a bidwell will spread the concrete to ensure a flat surface throughout. After the concrete has had an opportunity to cure and reach maximum strength, construction vehicles can travel on the ramp.

The 22-mile South Mountain Freeway, expected to open as early as late 2019, 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.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up to date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov or call 511.