Loop 303, Lake Pleasant Parkway to I-17 Improvements

Overview

The Arizona Department of Transportation, in association with the Maricopa Association of Governments, and in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration and the cities of Phoenix and Peoria, has initiated a study to consider an additional general-purpose lane on Loop 303 between Lake Pleasant Parkway and Interstate 17, as well as possible future traffic interchanges on Loop 303 at 67th, 51st and 43rd avenues. The study will also determine the approximate timing of the implementation of the I-17/Loop 303 system interchange ramps. The project seeks to address growing traffic demands on Loop 303.

Project Elements

This project will provide an update to the 2006 Final Design Concept Report Estrella Freeway (Loop 303), Happy Valley Road to I-17. Currently the segment of Loop 303 from Lake Pleasant Parkway to I-17 provides two lanes in each direction of travel. The project will consider the addition of a third general-purpose lane in each direction of travel, as well as develop and evaluate service interchange alternatives at 67th, 51st and 43rd avenues, and the implementation timing of the direct connecting ramps at the I-17/Loop 303 system interchange.

Schedule

• Construction of the 51st Avenue and 43rd Avenue traffic interchanges began in September 2022 and is anticipated to finish in the fall of 2023.
• Timing of the construction of the remaining elements of the project are to be determined. Those elements, for the general-purpose lane widening and other improvements on Loop 303 between Lake Pleasant Parkway and I-17, will begin design in the summer or fall of 2023.
• Schedules are subject to change.

Project Overview

In September 2022, the Arizona Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Maricopa Association of Governments, the Federal Highway Administration and the city of Phoenix, began construction on new Loop 303 traffic interchanges at 51st and 43rd avenues. The new interchanges will address expected traffic growth prompted by current and planned development in the area. The project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2023.

In addition to the new traffic interchanges, the project also will include:

• Constructing new bridges on Loop 303 over 51st and 43rd avenues
• Extending 51st and 43rd avenues through ADOT right-of-way to the south of Loop 303
• Extending the southbound frontage road from 43rd to 51st avenues
• Drainage improvements at 51st and 43rd avenues
• Signals at ramp and crossroad intersections
• New signs, pavement markings and lighting

The 51st Avenue interchange will be shifted slightly to the west to accommodate the realignment of 51st Avenue.

What to expect

Construction will mostly occur outside the existing roadway. However, drivers can expect some weekend and night closures on Loop 303 during construction.

Note: While the city of Phoenix’s long-range transportation plan identifies the planned extension of 43rd, 51st and 67th Avenue/Pyramid Peak Parkway south of Loop 303 based on future development, the city has no immediate plans to extend any of these roadways.

Documents

Appendices

• Appendix A – IDCR AASHTO Report
• Appendix B – Cost Estimates
• Appendix C – Design Roll Plots
• Appendix D – Construction Sequencing Roll Plots
• Appendix E – 51st and 43rd Ave Traffic Interchanges TI Final Project Assessment
• Appendix F – Initial Drainage Report
• Loop 303 Lake Pleasant Parkway to I-17 Initial Traffic Report with Appendices
• Loop 303 Lake Pleasant Parkway to I-17 Final Design Concept Report
• Loop 303 Lake Pleasant Parkway to I-17 Final Traffic Report and Appendix

Public Meeting

Virtual Public Meeting Information

On October 20, 2021,  ADOT held a virtual public meeting to provide information about the proposed near-term and long-term improvement plans to Loop 303 between Lake Pleasant Parkway and Interstate 17.

• Meeting Summary
• Meeting Slides - English Script
• Meeting Slides - Spanish Script

Traffic Alerts

Loop 303 will be closed between Lake Pleasant Parkway and I-17, Aug. 18-21

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for the following weekend closures on Loop 303 for interchange construction:

• Eastbound Loop 303 between Lake Pleasant Parkway and I-17 will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19.

  DETOUR: Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes, including northbound Lake Pleasant Parkway to eastbound State Route 74 to connect to I-17 and Sonoran Desert Drive.

 

• Westbound Loop 303 between I-17 and Lake Pleasant Parkway will be closed from 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21.

  • DETOUR: Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes, including westbound State Route 74  to southbound Lake Pleasant Parkway to connect to Loop 303 beyond the closure.

ADOT advises drivers to slow down and use caution around construction personnel and equipment while work is underway. 

 

Stay Up to Date

Submit questions and comments or request information in any of the following ways:

• By Phone: ADOT Project Information Line: 855.712.8530
• Teléfono: Línea de Información del Proyecto ADOT: 855.712.8530
• Online: Visit azdot.gov/contact and select Projects from the drop-down menu
• By Mail: ADOT Communications, 1655 W. Jackson St., MD 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007