PHOENIX-Motorists in the Southeast Valley will likely notice a smoother and more efficient commute on eastbound Interstate 10, as the Arizona Department of Transportation has increased the number of travel lanes south of Baseline Road in conjunction with the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project.

Since last fall, crews have been working to widen eastbound I-10 on the outside, and get the new roadway paved and striped. That work wrapped up early this morning, bringing the lane count on eastbound I-10 to five general purpose lanes, one high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane and an auxiliary lane between Baseline and Elliot roads, and four general purpose lanes, an HOV lane and an auxiliary lane from Elliot Road to the project’s southern boundary near Chandler Boulevard. The fifth lane between Baseline and Elliot roads will accommodate drivers who are merging onto eastbound I-10 from the US-60.

“Opening the new eastbound travel lanes early in the life of this massive project provides tremendous value to thousands of motorists. We are delighted we could make it happen and improve the afternoon and evening commute home for so many of our customers in Guadalupe, Tempe, Chandler and other areas of the Southeast Valley,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “We know this project is highly impactful in other areas of I-10, the US 60 and State Route 143. Opening up new travel lanes is one way we’re striving to reduce the projects’ impacts for at least some motorists in the project area.”

Additional improvement work in this section of the project - such as widening both westbound I-10 and the Guadalupe Road bridge to improve the Sun Circle Trail - is continuing. Crews will work behind the concrete barrier, limiting the need for highway restrictions or closures. 

ADOT reminds motorists to slow down and use caution in the work zone. The maximum posted speed limit is 55 mph even when workers are not present.

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The I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project is identified in the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Transportation Plan, funded by a half-cent sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004 through Proposition 400. MAG identified the need for this project to reduce travel times on I-10 during peak hours; improve airport access; support ridesharing and transit; and prepare the region for future growth projections. Learn more about the major improvements here. 

PHOENIX - The Arizona Department of Transportation is advising motorists to plan ahead and allow extra time  if they travel on Interstate 10 in the East Valley this weekend.

Eastbound I-10 will be closed between US 60 and Loop 202 (Santan/South Mountain Freeway) from 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, to 4 a.m. Monday, Sept. 19, while crews with the Interstate 10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project pave the roadway for the new eastbound I-10 travel lane between Baseline and Ray Roads. Also, drivers on westbound I-10 should plan for lane restrictions Saturday and Sunday while crews continue work at the new 48th Street bridge.

Rubberized-asphalt paving for the new eastbound I-10 travel lane between Baseline and Ray roads is scheduled to occur in two-mile increments over the course of the next three weekends. One section of the new travel lane will be paved each weekend until the entire section south of Baseline Road is finished. ADOT will open each section of the newly paved travel lane after each weekend’s work, and the entire new eastbound I-10 travel lane south of Baseline Road is scheduled to open in October.

During this weekend’s eastbound closure, the following ramps will be closed:

• The westbound US 60 ramp to eastbound I-10.
• The HOV ramps in both directions that connect I-10 and US 60.
• The eastbound I-10 on-ramps at 40th Street and Broadway, Baseline, Elliot, Warner and Ray roads.
• The eastbound US 60 on and off-ramps at Mill Avenue. 

Drivers on southbound State Route 143 who are heading to eastbound I-10 will be routed through the detour route on US 60.

Eastbound I-10 Detour: Use eastbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) or eastbound US 60 to southbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway) to westbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) to access eastbound I-10 beyond the closure. Please note: Westbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) will be closed between 56th and 40th streets from 1 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept 18, for unrelated maintenance work, so drivers should expect delays and allow extra travel time. 

For motorists who need to access eastbound I-10 when on-ramps at 40th Street and Broadway are closed: Use eastbound Broadway Road to southbound Priest Drive to eastbound US 60 to southbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway) to westbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) to access eastbound I-10 beyond the closure. 

Note:

Westbound I-10 will be narrowed to two lanes between Broadway Road and 48th Street from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, for bridge work, and again from 10 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Monday, Sept. 19. During the Saturday-night-to-Monday-morning restriction, the westbound I-10 off- and on-ramps at Broadway Road will be closed. Drivers can use the westbound I-10 off- and on-ramps at 40th Street instead.

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The I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project is identified in the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Transportation Plan, funded by a half-cent sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004 through Proposition 400. MAG identified the need for this project to reduce travel times on I-10 during peak hours; improve airport access; support ridesharing and transit; and prepare the region for future growth projections. Learn more about the major improvements here.