Overview
The Arizona Department of Transportation completed a feasibility study in 2022 to assess the US 60 and Loop 303 (Estrella Freeway) interchange and other intersections along US 60 from 163rd Avenue in Surprise to R H Johnson Boulevard in Sun City West.
The study evaluated several near-term and long-term projects to improve traffic flow and developed conceptual design plans and cost estimates for each improvement.
Near-term improvements refer to smaller projects that would mitigate some traffic congestion and could be implemented sooner than the long-term improvements.
Project Area Map
US 60/Loop 303 and US 60/163rd Avenue Additional Near-Term Improvements
In October 2024, the Maricopa Association of Governments approved new funding to implement additional US 60 (Grand Avenue)/Loop 303 and US 60/163rd Avenue near-term improvements. ADOT is currently designing these improvements with construction anticipated to begin in summer 2025 and take approximately six months to complete.
These improvements include:
US 60/Loop 303
- Add a second right turn lane on eastbound US 60 to southbound Loop 303
- Add a third left turn lane from southbound Loop 303 to westbound US 60
- Lengthen the two-lane portion of southbound Loop 303 on-ramp
US 60/163rd Avenue
- Add a dedicated eastbound right turn lane into the drive between Deer Valley Road and 163rd Avenue and an acceleration lane along US eastbound 60
- Add a fourth lane in each direction along US 60 through the 163rd Avenue intersection
What to Expect
- Construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2025 and take approximately six months to complete.
- Work will require lane restrictions and ramp closures and is expected to occur primarily during overnight hours and weekends to minimize traffic impacts.
- ADOT will provide advance notice of restrictions and closures to email subscribers and on the project web page.
Short-Term Improvements
In April 2023 the Arizona State Legislature approved funding to initiate final design and construction of some short-term improvements. Some of these improvements were made in December 2023. Construction of the remaining improvements began summer 2024 and were substantially completed in late-November 2024.
These improvements include:
US 60/163rd Avenue
- Add a third left turn lane from southbound 163rd Avenue to US 60
- Add a second right turn lane from northbound/westbound US 60 to 163rd Avenue. (December 2023)
- Extend the existing east- and westbound US 60 third lane to 163rd Avenue (westbound December 2023; eastbound summer 2024)
Note: No pavement widening is needed for any of these improvements.
US 60/Loop 303
- Add a second lane to the northbound Loop 303 off-ramp at US 60
- Widen the Loop 303/US 60 intersection and Loop 303 northbound off-ramp to provide three dedicated left turn lanes and one dedicated right turn lane from the northbound Loop 303 off-ramp to US 60
Other improvements include restriping, new signs, traffic-signal timing adjustments and railroad coordination.
Long-Term Improvements
The feasibility study identified some possible long-term improvements that could be implemented as part of future reconstruction of the US 60/Loop 303 interchange.
Possible improvements include:
- Construct a diamond interchange at US 60 and Loop 303
- Construct new southbound Loop 303 off-ramp and northbound Loop 303 on-ramp over the railroad tracks
- Grade separate eastbound US 60 through lanes between 163rd Avenue and RH Johnson Boulevard to go over Loop 303.
- Build a US 60 overpass at 163rd Avenue. Traffic on 163rd Avenue could be serviced by a ground-level Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) interchange.
NOTE: These improvements are subject to change. Further study will be required to determine the final configuration of the long-term improvements.
Schedule
- In June 2022 the US60/SR303L Traffic Interchange (TI) Feasibility Report (See report under the Document tab) was completed.
- In December 2023 ADOT completed the following short-term improvements:
- Added a second right turn lane from northbound/westbound US 60 to 163rd Avenue.
- Extended the existing westbound US 60 third lane to 163rd Avenue
- Restriped westbound US 60 for third lane and two right-turn lanes to 163rd Avenue
- Construction for the other short-term improvements began in late-July 2024 and was substantially completed in late-November 2024.
Documents
Stay Informed
Please Subscribe to receive project updates and traffic alerts.
- Phone: ADOT Project Information Line: 855.712.8530
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: ADOT Communications, 1655 W. Jackson St., MD 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007
