State Route 24 'Open House' event April 15 provides chance to check out new freeway connection in Mesa

PHOENIX – It’s time to show off the first stretch of State Route 24, the Gateway Freeway, which is nearing completion in Mesa. Before the mile-long segment of SR 24 between Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) and Ellsworth Road is finished early next month, the Arizona Department of Transportation and City of Mesa will host an “Open House” celebration on the freeway from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15.

Community members and visitors are invited to walk, jog, bike or skate on the Gateway Freeway pavement and get an up-close look at the interchange that includes elevated ramps providing direct connections with Loop 202.

Those attending the celebration will be able to enter the event by using the freeway on-ramp from southbound Ellsworth Road south of Ray Road. Signs along southbound Ellsworth Road will help direct guests to the event.

Governor Jan Brewer, Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, ADOT Director John Halikowski and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority Executive Director Jane Morris are expected to take part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony starting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The new section of State Route 24 will provide a direct connection between the Santan Freeway and Ellsworth Road, improving access to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and other local business and housing developments.

Construction of the $73 million project began in March 2012. The City of Mesa accelerated the start of construction by several years through a transportation-bonding program.