I-10 Papago Freeway Loop 101 Agua Fria Freeway

Public meeting on Loop 101/I-10 interchange ramps set for Feb. 23

Public meeting on Loop 101/I-10 interchange ramps set for Feb. 23

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Public meeting on Loop 101/I-10 interchange ramps set for Feb. 23

Public meeting on Loop 101/I-10 interchange ramps set for Feb. 23

February 15, 2023

Improvements being studied include new HOV lane connections

PHOENIX – A public meeting about potential future changes at the Loop 101/Interstate 10 interchange in the West Valley will be held on Thursday evening, Feb. 23.

The Arizona Department of Transportation and its project partners will hold the meeting to provide information about alternatives under consideration for new High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) ramp connections at the Loop 101/I-10 interchange.

The public is invited to attend the open house meeting to learn more as well as ask questions and provide comments about project recommendations. The meeting is scheduled as follows:

What: Loop 101/I-10 Interchange Public Meeting
When: Thursday, Feb. 23 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Sheely Farms Elementary School, 9450 W. Encanto Blvd, Phoenix 85037

ADOT’s study team has been studying options for HOV ramp connections to and from the north along Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) and to and from the east along I-10. Construction of the new HOV ramp structure could begin as soon as 2025. The project is identified in Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Transportation Plan, and is funded in part by Proposition 400, a half-cent sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004.

ADOTI-10Loop101InterchangeStudyAreaMapADOToct2022.jpg

The public meeting also will provide information about a potential connection that would provide access from southbound Loop 101 to 91st Avenue.

Those who can’t attend the meeting in person can learn more about the proposed improvements and get information about submitting comments by visiting the ADOT project website at azdot.gov/I10_Loop101_TI. Public comments will be received through March 9, 2023.

The ongoing study’s purpose is to evaluate alternatives for changes at the Loop 101/I-10 interchange with a goal of improving safety, reducing traffic congestion and improving regional connectivity.

Lane adjustments on I-10 already improving traffic, safety

Lane adjustments on I-10 already improving traffic, safety

SR24-1

Lane adjustments on I-10 already improving traffic, safety

Lane adjustments on I-10 already improving traffic, safety

By David Rookhuyzen / ADOT Communications
June 9, 2020

It's not often in life that you get immediate results. A lot of things worth doing take time and patience to bear any fruit.

That's why it was gratifying when we saw a noticeable change in traffic flow and safety after crews completed a project to adjust some lane configurations on Interstate 10 at the Loop 101 Agua Fria Freeway.

ADOT worked in partnership with the Arizona Department of Public Safety to restripe and add signage on I-10 eastbound to give drivers two lanes as they approached the transition ramp to northbound Loop 101. The transition ramp itself was also restriped to provide two lanes for vehicles heading north. On westbound I-10, changes were made to extend one of the two right lanes, which previously only connected to northbound Loop 101, so drivers also had the choice to use that lane to continue west on I-10. That westbound right lane provides more capacity for traffic traveling beyond the Loop 101 interchange.

You can see shots of traffic moving through the completed work in this video to the right. 

The end result? Although the freeway was not physically widened, drivers now have more room while approaching the Loop 101, cutting down on the need for sudden lane changes.

And the benefits have been evident, even during times of lighter traffic. AZDPS reports that traffic is flowing better, there are fewer collisions, and an overall improvement to safety, both for the public and first responders.  

Funny enough, this isn't the first time a relatively simple change to striping and signage has made a noticeable impact on traffic and safety. As we told you about in a previous blog post, a couple of years ago we made similar changes to eastbound US 60 at the I-10, and it resulted in improved traffic flow and a drastic decrease in fender benders.