Loop 303, Lake Pleasant Parkway to I-17 Improvements

Overview

The Arizona Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Maricopa Association of Governments and the cities of Phoenix and Peoria, is planning for improvements to Loop 303 between Lake Pleasant Parkway and Interstate 17 that will include an additional general purpose lane in each direction, bridges to accommodate a future interchange at 67th Avenue, and a new Loop 303/I-17 system-to-system interchange. The project seeks to address growing traffic demands on Loop 303.

Project Elements

• Add a third general-purpose lane to Loop 303 in each direction between Lake Pleasant Parkway and I-17

• Construct new bridges to accommodate a future traffic interchange at 67th Ave

• Build direct connecting ramps at the I-17/Loop 303 system interchange
• Install new lighting
• Construct drainage improvements
• Install new overhead signs

Project Simulation

Northbound I-17 Off-Ramp at Sonoran Desert Drive Widening Project

The Arizona Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Maricopa Association of Governments, is widening the northbound Interstate 17 off-ramp at Sonoran Desert Drive to increase capacity on the ramp and reduce traffic congestion on northbound I-17.

Project Elements

• Adding an additional lane to the northbound I-17 off-ramp at Sonoran Desert Drive
• Constructing a storm drain
• Installing new overhead signs
• Restriping the outside lanes of northbound I-17 to accommodate the new ramp configuration

Construction is anticipated to start in August 2025 and is expected to take approximately four months to complete. Lane restrictions will be needed throughout construction but are expected to be minimal. No closures of the off-ramp or northbound I-17 are anticipated.

Public Meeting

The Arizona Department of Transportation held a virtual public meeting on April 17 to provide details the design of Loop 303 improvements to address growing traffic demands.

Meeting Recording and Presentation

Virtual Public Meeting Presentation

Virtual Public Meeting Presentation Script

Public Meeting Summary

Documents

Draft Air Quality Report (2025)

Draft Noise Report (2024)

Loop 303, Lake Pleasant Parkway to I-17 Final Design Concept Report

Appendices

• Appendix A - Summary of AASHTO Controlling Design Criteria
• Appendix F - Final Drainage Report
• Appendix B - Estimated Engineering Construction Cost
• Appendix G - Roadway Distress Assessment
• Appendix C - Design Roll Plots
• Appendix H - Initial Design Concept Report Summary of Comments
• Appendix D - Construction Sequencing
• Appendix I - October 20, 2021 Public Meeting Summary
• Appendix E - Final Project Assessment

51st and 43rd avenues Traffic Interchanges

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 interchanges were completed and opened in September 2023.

In addition to the new traffic interchanges, the project also included:

• New bridges on Loop 303 over 51st and 43rd avenues
• The extension of the southbound frontage road from 43rd to 51st avenues
• Drainage improvements at 51st and 43rd avenues
• New signals at ramp and crossroad intersections
• New signs, pavement markings and lighting
• The 51st Avenue interchange was shifted slightly to the west to accommodate the realignment of 51st Avenue.

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 these roadways

Previous Public Outreach

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

Stay Informed

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

• Phone: ADOT Project Information Line: 855.712.8530
• Email: [email protected]
• Mail: ADOT Communications, 1655 W. Jackson St., MD 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007