PHOENIX – Sections of southbound Interstate 17 in north Phoenix and northbound Loop 101 in the East Valley will be closed for freeway improvement projects this weekend (July 26-29), according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Lane restrictions and ramp closures also are scheduled along Interstate 10 and US 60 (Superstition Freeway) for the Broadway Curve Improvement Project. Drivers should allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes while the following weekend restrictions are in place:

• Southbound I-17 closed between Loop 303 and Happy Valley Road from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (July 29) for pavement improvement project. Southbound I-17 on-ramps at State Route 74/Carefree Highway and Dove Valley Road closed. Allow extra travel time. Primary Detour: Traffic will detour on westbound Loop 303 to southbound Lake Pleasant Parkway and eastbound Happy Valley Road. Note: Consider traveling during early morning or later at night. Please avoid detouring on streets east of I-17 that are designed for local traffic. 
• Northbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway) closed between US 60 (Superstition Freeway) and Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) in Tempe from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (July 29) for lane striping. Northbound Loop 101 on-ramps at Warner, Elliot and Guadalupe roads also closed. Allow extra travel time. Detours: Consider using westbound US 60 to westbound I-10 and northbound State Route 143 (Hohokam Expressway) to reach Loop 202 near Sky Harbor Airport. Local alternate routes include northbound McClintock Drive or Dobson Road.
• Eastbound I-10 narrowed to two lanes between 24th Street and Broadway Road near Sky Harbor Airport from 10 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday (July 29) for bridge work. Southbound I-17 ramp to eastbound I-10 closed. Eastbound I-10 also narrowed to three lanes near US 60. Eastbound I-10 on-ramp at 24th Street closed (consider using the eastbound on-ramp at 32nd Street). Detours: Allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes including eastbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) to southbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway) and westbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) in Chandler to reach I-10 beyond the weekend restrictions. Note: Southbound/eastbound Loop 202 (South Mountain Freeway) is another alternate freeway route. For more information visit i10BroadwayCurve.com.
• Westbound US 60 (Superstition Freeway) ramp to eastbound I-10 in Tempe closed from 10 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday (July 29) for work on the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project. Westbound I-10 ramp to eastbound US 60 also closed. Westbound US 60 HOV ramp to westbound I-10 closed. Detour: Westbound US drivers can consider using the primary ramp to westbound I-10 and exiting at 40th Street to turn and enter eastbound I-10. Notes: Eastbound I-10 off-ramp at Baseline Road closed (consider exiting at Elliot Road). Westbound I-10 on-ramp at Baseline Road closed (consider using northbound northbound Priest Drive to westbound Broadway Road to enter westbound I-10. For more information visit i10BroadwayCurve.com. 

Schedules are subject to change due to inclement weather or other factors. ADOT plans and constructs new freeways, additional lanes and other improvements in the Phoenix area as part of the Regional Transportation Plan for the Maricopa County region. Most projects are funded in part by Proposition 400, a dedicated sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, the az511 app (download for Apple or Android devices) or by calling 511. 

PHOENIX – A stretch of southbound Interstate 17 is scheduled to be closed this weekend (July 26-29) in north Phoenix for ongoing pavement improvement work, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Drivers should allow extra time, consider traveling during non-peak morning or nighttime hours and stay on the designated detour route with southbound I-17 closed between Loop 303 and Happy Valley Road from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. 

Traffic will detour on westbound Loop 303 to southbound Lake Pleasant Parkway and use eastbound Happy Valley Road to return to I-17.

ADOT offers these additional tips:

• Southbound I-17 drivers should avoid attempting to use local streets east of I-17 as alternate routes. This is a recipe for longer delays and inconvenience for all. The posted detour, which will be monitored by off-duty officers and project staff, is the most efficient way to move through the area near the closure.   
• Lengthy traffic backups are unavoidable during freeway closures like this one, so drivers should plan ahead. Those with weekend plans to use southbound I-17 through the north Valley can consider traveling before Friday night’s closure begins. Traffic on southbound I-17 also generally is lighter during the early morning hours or later at night and is expected to be especially busy on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
• ADOT will be placing local-only closures at neighborhood entrances on a number of streets near I-17 to help direct detour traffic away from local roadways. Law enforcement officers will be stationed at intersections throughout the area to assist with traffic flow.
• ADOT also is taking steps to reduce the chances that navigation apps will direct drivers to other local roads. Staying on the detour route regardless of what a navigation app may suggest is the best way to reduce delays for yourself and others.  

Crews are continuing a much-needed project to improve the ride on six miles of I-17 between Happy Valley Road and State Route 74. Additional I-17 closures or lane restrictions will be needed as the work proceeds. ADOT encourages drivers to sign up for project traffic alerts at azdot.gov/i-17HappyValleySR74.

Following the initial removal of an old, worn top layer of asphalt pavement along the freeway, crews have been replacing bridge deck joints and have started smoothing the freeway’s remaining concrete surface through a process called diamond grinding. Diamond grinding has been used in recent years to create a smoother and more durable road surface on a number of Phoenix-area freeways, including I-10, I-17, Loop 101 and Loop 202.

The I-17 pavement work between Happy Valley Road and SR 74 is separate from the I-17 Improvement Project currently underway north of Anthem Way. For more information about that larger project visit improvingi17.com. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit within that project’s work zone is 65 mph. 

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, the az511 app or by calling 511.

PHOENIX – Drivers planning to use southbound Interstate 17 in the north Valley this weekend should budget extra time. Pavement improvement work is reducing the freeway down to one lane for three miles from State Route 74 (Carefree Highway) to Dixileta Drive. 

The lane restrictions are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Friday, July 19, and end by 5 a.m. Monday, July 22. Drivers should plan for delays, especially from afternoon into early evening on Saturday and Sunday, and may want to consider traveling through the area earlier or later. 

The work continues a much-needed project to improve the ride on six miles of I-17 between Happy Valley Road and SR 74. The project has already removed the top layer of older, worn asphalt pavement and crews will smooth the concrete surface through a process called diamond grinding and additional concrete work that requires extended time to cure. 

While there is no detour, ADOT encourages drivers to pack their patience, use caution and be prepared to slow down and merge safely as they travel on the highway through the three mile restriction. Staying on this route regardless of what a navigation app may suggest is the best way for drivers to reduce delays and avoid bringing unnecessary extra traffic in and around neighborhoods.

Weekend details:

• Southbound I-17 will be restricted to one lane from State Route 74/Carefree Highway to Dixileta Drive from 9 p.m. Friday, July 19, to 5 a.m. Monday, July 22.
• The Loop 303 ramp to southbound I-17 will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday, July 19, to 5 a.m. Monday, July 22.
• The SR 74/Carefree Highway ramp to southbound I-17 will be closed nightly 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20. NOTE: The cloverleaf ramp to southbound I-17 will remain open. 

July 17 & 18 nightly details:

• Southbound I-17 will be restricted to one lane between SR 74/Carefree Highway and Loop 303/Sonoran Desert Drive nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, and Thursday, July 18.
  • The southbound I-17 on-ramp at SR 74/Carefree Highway also will be closed during these nights. NOTE: The cloverleaf ramp to southbound I-17 will remain open. 
  • The Loop 303 on-ramp to southbound I-17 will be closed from 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, to 5 a.m. Thursday, July 18.

To learn more about this project and subscribe for updates, please visit  azdot.gov/i-17HappyValleySR74. 

The I-17 pavement work between SR 74 and Happy Valley Road is separate from the I-17 Improvement Project currently underway north of Anthem Way. For more information about that larger project visit improvingi17.com. 

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, the az511 app (download for Apple or Android devices) or by calling 511.

PHOENIX – Drivers planning to use southbound Interstate 17 in the north Valley this weekend should budget extra time with pavement improvement work reducing the freeway to one lane at Loop 303/Sonoran Desert Drive and with traffic exiting and re-entering at Jomax Road. 

The lane restrictions and the closure at Jomax Road, with traffic using the off- and on-ramps, are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Friday and end by 5 a.m. Monday, July 15. Drivers should plan for delays, especially from afternoon into early evening on Saturday and Sunday, and may want to consider traveling through the area earlier or later. 

Continuing a much-needed project to improve the ride on 6 miles of I-17 between Happy Valley Road and State Route 74, crews will be replacing bridge deck joints, among other work, in the stretch between Loop 303/Sonoran Desert Drive and Jomax Road. The project has already removed the top layer of older, worn asphalt pavement and later will smooth the remaining concrete surface through a process called diamond grinding. 

Other details:

• To help keep traffic moving through the work zone this weekend, east- and westbound Jomax Road will be closed at I-17. Southbound I-17 drivers wanting to access Jomax Road can continue to Happy Valley Road and use northbound 19th Avenue.

• Drivers wanting to enter southbound I-17 at Jomax Road will be directed onto northbound I-17 to access southbound I-17 at Loop 303/Sonoran Desert Drive.

• The southbound I-17 off-ramp at Loop 303/Sonoran Desert Drive will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday until 8 a.m. Saturday, July 13, and from 9 p.m. Saturday until 5 a.m. Sunday, July 14.

• Earlier in the week, on Wednesday and Thursday nights, July 10 and 11, southbound I-17 will be narrowed to one lane between Loop 303 and Dixileta Drive from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. The southbound I-17 on-ramp at Loop 303/Sonoran Desert Drive also will be closed during the same hours. 

To learn more about this project and subscribe for updates, please visit  azdot.gov/i-17HappyValleySR74. 

The I-17 pavement work between SR 74 and Happy Valley Road is separate from the I-17 Improvement Project currently underway north of Anthem Way. For more information about that larger project visit improvingi17.com. 

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, the az511 app (download for Apple or Android devices) or by calling 511.

PHOENIX – Northbound Interstate 17 has reopened early between Happy Valley Road and Loop 303 following weekend pavement work, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Continuing a much-needed project to improve the ride on 6 miles of I-17 between Happy Valley Road and State Route 74, crews removed a top layer of older, worn asphalt pavement before advancing to work to smooth the remaining concrete surface through a process called diamond grinding. Diamond grinding has been used in recent years to create a smoother and more durable road surface on a number of Phoenix-area freeways, including I-10, I-17, Loop 101 and Loop 202.

To learn more about this project and subscribe for updates, please visit azdot.gov/subscribe > Central District Projects > I-17 (Black Canyon Freeway): I-10 to SR 74. 

The I-17 pavement work between SR 74 and Happy Valley Road is separate from the I-17 Improvement Project currently underway north of Anthem Way. For more information about that larger project visit improvingi17.com. 

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, the az511 app or by calling 511.

PHOENIX – Southbound Interstate 17 has reopened early between Loop 303 and Happy Valley Road following weekend pavement work. 

The Arizona Department of Transportation is grateful to motorists who used the posted detour route, which moved traffic efficiently throughout the weekend. 

Continuing a much-needed project to improve the ride on I-17 between Happy Valley Road and SR 74, crews removed a top layer of older, worn asphalt pavement before advancing to work to smooth the remaining concrete surface through a process called diamond grinding. Diamond grinding has been used in recent years to create a smoother and more durable road surface on a number of Phoenix-area freeways, including I-10, I-17, Loop 101 and Loop 202.

While ADOT often can complete work without closing all lanes of a freeway, this weekend closure and two previous ones were needed for crews to safely and effectively remove the surface asphalt and clear as much dust and debris as possible before the stretch reopened to traffic.

A northbound I-17 closure is planned for next weekend between Happy Valley Road and Loop 303 to complete this phase of the project. ADOT encourages drivers to sign up for project traffic alerts at azdot.gov/projects (see Central District projects).

The I-17 pavement work between SR 74 and Happy Valley Road is separate from the I-17 Improvement Project currently underway north of Anthem Way. For more information about that larger project visit improvingi17.com. 

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, the az511 app or by calling 511.

PHOENIX – A busy stretch of northbound Interstate 17 has reopened early between Loop 303 and State Route 74 in the north Valley after weekend pavement work, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The posted detour using the northbound I-17 frontage road moved traffic efficiently throughout the weekend, and ADOT is grateful to drivers who heeded advice to use this route. Law enforcement officers and ADOT personnel were in the area to assist with local-only closures at neighborhood entrances. Staying on the posted detour, regardless of what a navigation app may have suggested, proved to be the best way to minimize delays.

Continuing a much-needed project to improve the ride on I-17 between Happy Valley Road and SR 74, crews removed a top layer of older, worn asphalt pavement, before advancing to work to smooth the remaining concrete surface through a process called diamond grinding. Diamond grinding has been used in recent years to create a smoother and more durable road surface on a number of Phoenix-area freeways, including I-10, I-17, Loop 101 and Loop 202.

While ADOT often can complete work without closing all lanes of a freeway, this closure and one the previous weekend southbound between SR 74 and Loop 303 were needed for crews to safely and effectively remove the surface asphalt and clear as much dust and debris as possible before the stretch reopened to traffic.

No I-17 closures are scheduled over Memorial Day weekend. To learn more about this project and to subscribe for updates, please visit azdot.gov/projects (see Central District projects).

The I-17 pavement work between SR 74 and Happy Valley Road is separate from the I-17 Improvement Project currently underway north of Anthem Way. For more information about that larger project visit improvingI17.com. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit within that project’s work zone is 65 mph. 

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, the az511 app or by calling 511.

PHOENIX – A busy stretch of northbound Interstate 17 in north Phoenix is scheduled to be closed this weekend (May 17-20) for pavement improvement work, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Drivers should allow extra travel time and stay on the designated detour route, which uses the frontage road, while northbound I-17 is closed between Loop 303 and State Route 74 from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Additionally, all traffic on eastbound Loop 303 will be directed to southbound I-17 to allow northbound detour traffic to freely flow through the intersection.

ADOT is advising drivers to not use local streets – including Sonoran Desert Drive and North Valley Parkway – as alternate routes, which is a recipe for longer delays and inconvenience for all. Using the frontage road, which offers two travel lanes (see detour map below), is safer for you and for those living nearby as well as being the most efficient route through the area.

Law enforcement officers will work throughout the area to assist with local-only closures at neighborhood entrances. ADOT also is taking steps to reduce the chances that navigation apps will direct drivers to local roads. Staying on the detour route regardless of what a navigation app may suggest is the best way to reduce delays for yourself and others.  

Crews are continuing a much-needed project to improve the ride on I-17. They are removing a top layer of older, worn asphalt pavement, before advancing to work to smooth the remaining concrete surface through a process called diamond grinding. While ADOT often can complete work without closing all lanes of a freeway, these closures are needed for crews to safely and  effectively remove the surface asphalt and clear as much dust and debris as possible before the stretch reopens to traffic.

Diamond grinding has been used in recent years to create a smoother and more durable road surface on a number of Phoenix-area freeways, including I-10, I-17, Loop 101 and Loop 202.

Lengthy traffic backups are unavoidable during these closures, so drivers should plan ahead. Those with weekend plans to use northbound I-17 from Phoenix may want to consider avoiding delays by traveling before Friday night’s closure begins. Traffic on the northbound freeway also will be lighter during the early morning hours or later at night.

With additional weekend closures needed between Happy Valley Road and Loop 303 in June, ADOT encourages drivers to sign up for project traffic alerts at azdot.gov/projects (see Central District projects). No I-17 closures are scheduled over Memorial Day weekend. 

The I-17 pavement work between SR 74 and Happy Valley Road is separate from the I-17 Improvement Project currently underway north of Anthem Way. For more information about that larger project visit improvingI17.com. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit within that project’s work zone is 65 mph. 

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, the az511 app or by calling 511.

PHOENIX – If you’ve recently traveled along Interstate 17 north of the Phoenix metro area, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that the landscape looks a lot different. Entire sections of the mountainsides have been removed through controlled rock blasting, and this major earthwork operation is now complete ahead of the start of the summer travel season. 

This tremendous effort was necessary to make way for the additional lanes from Anthem Way to Sunset Point. That includes 15 miles of widening and 8 miles of flex lanes along the entire 23-mile I-17 Improvement Project corridor. 

Controlled rock blasting began in December 2022 and required full closures of I-17 in both directions to keep everyone safe, including the traveling public. Because I-17 is such a heavily traveled highway, blasting took place at 10 p.m. during the weeknights and involved a very tight schedule. Crews had just one hour to close the highway, carry out the blasting operation, clear the debris, and then reopen the highway. 

The team conducted a total of 62 blasts at seven different locations along the project corridor over the course of a year. That’s far less than the initial estimate of 120 blasts. In many circumstances, crews were instead able to “rip” or excavate rock in certain areas using heavy equipment. Ripping is the preferred method of rock removal because it lessens the impacts on traffic. Areas where the rock material was too hard to be ripped needed to be blasted instead.

Blasting operations were a success not only because the I-17 project team was able to reduce the number of blasts and the associated full closures of I-17, but also because the team was able to complete most blasts in less time than the scheduled hour-long operation. In many cases, traffic was only stopped for about 20 minutes.

Approximately 177,000 cubic yards of rock and material was removed during the blasting process, then hauled to another area of the project to be reincorporated into the new roadway. A large portion of the blasted material is crushed and then used as aggregate base, embankment and rock mulch along the 23 miles of new lanes. The construction team is using everything that is removed by putting it back into the project. This eliminates the need to outsource material and cuts down on construction costs. 

The entire 23-mile stretch between Anthem Way and Sunset Point remains under construction throughout 2024 and into 2025, as the new lanes are constructed and paved and a dozen bridges are either widened or replaced. The 15 miles of new lanes between Anthem Way and Black Canyon City are expected to open by the end of 2024, and the eight miles of flex lanes between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point are expected to open in 2025. 

Once fully complete in 2025, this major design-build project will help alleviate congestion and improve safety and traffic flow along a Key Commerce Corridor that is crucial to the state’s travel, tourism and economic development opportunities. 

As a reminder to all drivers, ADOT lowered the speed limit to 65 mph along the entire 23-mile construction zone between Anthem Way and Sunset Point as a safety measure to reduce crashes due to excessive speed. The Arizona Department of Public Safety is partnering with ADOT to enforce the reduced speed limit. Both agencies strongly urge drivers to slow down, pay attention in the work zone, and watch for construction workers, vehicles and equipment. 

For more information about the I-17 Improvement Project, visit improvingi17.com. 

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