Traffic shifting to temporary surface in I-10 South Mountain Freeway work zone

PHOENIX – As construction advances on a Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway interchange in west Phoenix, motorists traveling through the Interstate 10 work zone will begin using lanes with a temporary concrete surface.

A closure of westbound I-10 between 43rd and 67th avenues, scheduled from 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, to 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 5, will allow crews to shift travel lanes to the outside, or right side, of the freeway so construction can begin in the center median. The same will occur for eastbound I-10 lanes after a closure set for the weekend of Nov. 16-18.

Crews will mill off the top inch of rubberized asphalt in this stretch to ensure a consistent surface when motorists transition between the temporary travel lanes, some of which are newly paved with the concrete surface and others milled to be at the same level. The temporary surface won’t be as smooth as one with rubberized asphalt, and milled stretches will have dark areas where rubberized asphalt has been removed.

The temporary alignment will have new striping as well as raised pavement markings. For safety, motorists should continue leaving themselves plenty of following distance and heed the reduced 55 mph speed limit in this construction zone.

The entire length of the I-10 work zone, a 4.5-mile stretch between 43rd and 75th avenues, is slated to receive a layer of rubberized asphalt in fall 2019.

The next phase of construction in this stretch includes excavation, earthwork and paving in the I-10 median, along with building the bridge structures for the HOV connection flyover ramps for the new I-10/Loop 202 interchange near 59th Avenue.

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.