Loop 101

Loop 101 traffic shift starts west of Hayden Road for bridge work

Loop 101 traffic shift starts west of Hayden Road for bridge work

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Loop 101 traffic shift starts west of Hayden Road for bridge work

Loop 101 traffic shift starts west of Hayden Road for bridge work

August 19, 2019

PHOENIX – Drivers on westbound Loop 101 in north Scottsdale are using temporary lanes between Hayden and Scottsdale roads to allow new bridge construction along that stretch of the Pima Freeway.

As part of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s ongoing widening project in the north Valley, crews over the weekend switched westbound Loop 101 traffic to the construction bypass lanes next to the freeway bridge work zone.

Traffic will use the temporary outside lanes for approximately one year while a new Loop 101 bridge is built. The structure will provide an overpass to travel over the city of Scottsdale’s planned future extension of Miller Road.

Eastbound Loop 101 traffic will be switched to similar temporary lanes in the same area by next week following a closure of the freeway this weekend. Eastbound Loop 101 is scheduled to be closed between Scottsdale and Hayden roads from 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 26.

Crews over the weekend also reopened the westbound Loop 101 on-ramp at Hayden Road and westbound off-ramp at Scottsdale Road. The ramps had been closed since mid-June while crews prepared for the bridge work. 

ADOT started the $185 million Pima Freeway widening project in February to add lanes and make other improvements along 13 miles of Loop 101 between Interstate 17 and Pima Road. The entire project is scheduled for completion in early 2021.

More information about the Loop 101 Improvement Project in the north Valley is available at azdot.gov/Loop101Improvements.

Loop 101 project will close 15th Avenue bridge through late 2020

Loop 101 project will close 15th Avenue bridge through late 2020

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Loop 101 project will close 15th Avenue bridge through late 2020

Loop 101 project will close 15th Avenue bridge through late 2020

July 5, 2019

PHOENIX – The 15th Avenue bridge over Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) in north Phoenix will be closed until late next year starting Monday night, July 8, for improvements that are part of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s ongoing freeway widening project.

Crews will be making changes to the bridge to allow room for new freeway lanes under the structure. Drivers should plan on using alternate routes while the following closures are scheduled:

  • The 15th Avenue bridge over Loop 101 will be closed in both directions between the freeway’s frontage roads from 9 p.m. Monday, July 8, to late 2020. Drivers should consider alternate routes, including Seventh and 19th avenues, while the bridge is closed.
  • Scottsdale Road will be closed in both directions overnight between Mayo Boulevard and the Loop 101 westbound frontage road from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday nights (July 8-11). Drivers should consider alternate routes, including Hayden Road or Pima Road/Princess Drive, while the nightly closures of Scottsdale Road are in place.

The Loop 101 Pima Freeway Improvement Project is adding new travel lanes in areas along 13 miles of the freeway between Interstate 17 in north Phoenix and Pima Road/Princess Drive in north Scottsdale.

The project started in February and is scheduled for completion in early 2021.

Information about the Loop 101 improvements in the north Valley is available at azdot.gov/Loop101Improvements.

Two Loop 101 ramps at Scottsdale, Hayden roads close June 24

Two Loop 101 ramps at Scottsdale, Hayden roads close June 24

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Two Loop 101 ramps at Scottsdale, Hayden roads close June 24

Two Loop 101 ramps at Scottsdale, Hayden roads close June 24

June 21, 2019

PHOENIX – Two additional Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) ramps at Scottsdale and Hayden roads in north Scottsdale will be closed for approximately 60 days starting Monday night, June 24, for an ongoing freeway widening project.

The eastbound Loop 101 on-ramp at Scottsdale Road and eastbound off-ramp at Hayden Road are scheduled to close at 9 p.m. Monday and remain closed until late-August for work related to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s $185 million project to add lanes and make other improvements along the freeway.

Drivers who normally use the eastbound Loop 101 on-ramp at Scottsdale Road should consider alternate routes, including eastbound on-ramps at 64th Street or Hayden Road. Motorists who normally exit eastbound Loop 101 at Hayden Road should consider using the exits at Scottsdale Road or Pima Road/Princess Drive.

The temporary ramp closures will allow crews to prepare for the upcoming construction of new Loop 101 bridges to carry freeway traffic over a future section of Miller Road, which the city of Scottsdale plans to extend north of Loop 101. 

Two other Loop 101 ramps were closed last week. The westbound Loop 101 on-ramp at Hayden Road and westbound off-ramp at Scottsdale Road are scheduled to reopen by mid-August.

The Loop 101 Pima Freeway Improvement Project is adding new travel lanes in areas along 13 miles of the freeway between Interstate 17 in north Phoenix and Pima Road/Princess Drive in north Scottsdale.

The project started in February 2019 and is scheduled for completion in early 2021.

More information about the Loop 101 Improvement Project in the north Valley is available at azdot.gov/Loop101Improvements.

Two Loop 101 ramps at Scottsdale, Hayden roads to close June 17

Two Loop 101 ramps at Scottsdale, Hayden roads to close June 17

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Two Loop 101 ramps at Scottsdale, Hayden roads to close June 17

Two Loop 101 ramps at Scottsdale, Hayden roads to close June 17

June 13, 2019

PHOENIX – A pair of Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) ramps at Scottsdale and Hayden roads in north Scottsdale will be closed for approximately 60 days starting Monday night, June 17, for an ongoing freeway widening project.

The westbound Loop 101 on-ramp at Hayden Road and westbound off-ramp at Scottsdale Road are scheduled to close at 9 p.m. Monday and remain closed until mid-August for work related to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s $185 million project to add lanes and make other improvements along the freeway.

Drivers who normally use the westbound Loop 101 on-ramp at Hayden Road should consider alternate routes, including on-ramps at Pima Road or Scottsdale Road. Motorists who normally exit at Scottsdale Road should consider exiting westbound Loop 101 at Hayden Road or 64th Street.

The eastbound Loop 101 on-ramp at Scottsdale Road and eastbound off-ramp at Hayden Road are scheduled to close for approximately 60 days starting at 9 p.m. Monday, June 24.

The Loop 101 Improvement Project is adding new right lanes in areas along 13 miles of the freeway between Interstate 17 in north Phoenix and Pima Road/Princess Drive in north Scottsdale.

The project started in February, 2019, and is scheduled for completion in early 2021.

More information about the Loop 101 Improvement Project in the north Valley is available at azdot.gov/Loop101Improvements.

Loop 101 (Price Freeway) widening work gears up May 31

Loop 101 (Price Freeway) widening work gears up May 31

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Loop 101 (Price Freeway) widening work gears up May 31

Loop 101 (Price Freeway) widening work gears up May 31

May 21, 2019

PHOENIX – Construction is scheduled to start May 31 on the Arizona Department of Transportation’s project to improve traffic flow along a 6.4-mile stretch of Loop 101 (Price Freeway) by adding one lane in each direction between Baseline Road and Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) in the Tempe, Mesa and Chandler areas.

The $76 million Loop 101 improvement project will begin with a weekend closure of southbound Loop 101 south of the US 60 (Superstition Freeway) interchange to allow crews to begin setting a work zone along the freeway.

Southbound Loop 101 is scheduled to be closed between US 60 and Warner Road from 10 p.m. Friday, May 31, to 5 a.m. Monday, June 3, for work zone setup.

The project is scheduled for completion by fall 2020. In addition to adding a fourth general purpose lane in each direction along Loop 101 south of Baseline Road, crews also will construct retaining walls and safety barriers and make upgrades to sign structures, freeway lighting and landscaping. The northbound Loop 101 bridge over Chandler Boulevard also will be widened.

Drivers who use Loop 101 between US 60 in Tempe and Loop 202 in Chandler should plan ahead for restrictions, including weekend closures and overnight restrictions. For safety, the speed limit within the work zone will be reduced to 55 mph.

The Loop 101 Price Freeway improvement project is funded as part of the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Regional Transportation Plan approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004. Funding sources for the plan’s projects include a regional half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements as well as the MAG region’s share of federal highway funds.

Be prepared: A motto for Boy Scouts and Loop 101 drivers in north Valley

Be prepared: A motto for Boy Scouts and Loop 101 drivers in north Valley

Be prepared: A motto for Boy Scouts and Loop 101 drivers in north Valley

Be prepared: A motto for Boy Scouts and Loop 101 drivers in north Valley

February 6, 2019

By Doug Nintzel / ADOT Communications

It’s never easy getting drivers ready for construction work along a busy Phoenix-area freeway. Heck, some of you reading this might not even know that starting Friday night, Feb. 8, ADOT is embarking on a large makeover of Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) in north Phoenix and Scottsdale.

But even if you are aware, here are some nuggets of knowledge that can help cut down on frustrations while crews are doing the important job of widening Loop 101 by one lane in each direction between Interstate 17 and Pima Road/Princess Drive.

First, stay up to date on the project by subscribing to email advisories. You can do that via the project’s web page at azdot.gov/Loop101Improvements (just click on the “Stay up to date” tab).

ADOT’s advisories will focus on the schedule for upcoming major restrictions, including weekend closures, as well as primary detour routes for you to consider.

This is a big, $185 million project covering a total distance of 13 miles east of I-17, with work scheduled for completion by early 2021. While new lanes are being added, the work will require several bridges to be widened and on- and off-ramps to be adjusted to fit the freeway’s updated configuration.

It is a good idea to plan on allowing extra travel time as the work advances.

Starting with the weekend of Feb. 8-11, when eastbound Loop 101 will be closed between the I-17 interchange and Seventh Street, there will be a series of weekend closures over the next few months requiring a stretch of the freeway, in one direction, to be shut down.

This is also a good time to be thinking about alternate routes. On some weekends, it might be wise to plan on using local streets like Bell Road, Union Hills Drive or Deer Valley Road. Since some of those streets don’t travel the entire stretch of the project’s limits, another route will make better sense at times. We’ll be providing primary detour routes. Our advice: Traveling a little farther from a freeway closure and primary detours can often limit delays.

As for what happens during those weekend closures, crews will be setting up a work zone by placing temporary barrier wall along right shoulders and also shifting lane stripes. While the current number of lanes – three general purpose and one HOV lane – will generally be maintained for rush-hour traffic during the project, it will be a tighter fit along the freeway. That’s one reason why a 55 mph speed limit will be in place. Please slow down for your safety and for the safety of your fellow travelers and your neighbors working on this project.

Another tool for tracking major restrictions and alternate routes is ADOT’s Weekend Freeway Travel Advisory. If you’re not a subscriber yet, we recommend you sign up by visiting azdot.gov and clicking the Subscribe for Updates icon at left. Each Thursday afternoon you’ll get a listing and a link to a map of weekend restrictions along Phoenix-area freeways, including the soon-to-be-improved Loop 101 in the north Valley.

Federal grant will help ADOT, partners address Loop 101 congestion

Federal grant will help ADOT, partners address Loop 101 congestion

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Federal grant will help ADOT, partners address Loop 101 congestion

Federal grant will help ADOT, partners address Loop 101 congestion

October 24, 2017

PHOENIX – A $6 million federal grant will help the Arizona Department of Transportation and partner agencies advance the use of technology to help drivers steer clear of congestion on the 60-mile-long Loop 101 freeway in the Phoenix area.

The project will include development of a Decision Support System to provide Loop 101 drivers with real-time information, including best detour routes, when freeway slowing occurs due to crashes, disabled vehicles or other incidents.

ADOT teamed up with the Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), several Valley cities, the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, plus Valley Metro to apply for the Federal Highway Administration grant as part of that agency’s Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment program.

“While ADOT and Maricopa County have already been national leaders in using freeway management technology, this project will allow us to take the next step to inform drivers about traffic conditions and alternate routes,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “Improving safety and incident response are also keys to managing congestion and are at the heart of this partnership.”

The federal grant will allow ADOT to work with Maricopa County and other partners on the design of the Loop 101 Mobility Project. Other technologies to be deployed include enhanced traffic signal timing to help move traffic on arterial streets and transit routes when the freeway is congested.

The development of a mobile app will improve data exchange between the regional transportation network and the travelers who use it. Transit vehicles also will be outfitted with connected vehicle technology to improve accessibility to destinations while helping people, including senior citizens, who depend on transit services.

“As Maricopa County grows, technology plays an increasingly important role in keeping people and products on the move,” MCDOT Director Jennifer Toth said. “This project will demonstrate how technology innovation can not only improve everyday driving but also improve how we manage congestion when our region hosts major events like the Super Bowl, the NCAA Final Four, Phoenix Open golf and Cactus League baseball.”

The Federal Highway Administration’s Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies program funds cutting-edge technologies that are ready to be deployed to enhance existing traffic capacity for commuters and businesses.

“Technology is the future of U.S. transportation,” said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Brandye L. Hendrickson. “Innovations like this one are the future of congestion management for America’s highway system and deserve this important recognition.”

ADOT and its partners also have identified $27 million in existing project funding that, when combined with the $6 million federal grant, will pay for designing and installing the Loop 101 Mobility Project within the next four years.

Throwback Thursday: Outer Loop Freeway

Throwback Thursday: Outer Loop Freeway

Throwback Thursday: Outer Loop Freeway

Throwback Thursday: Outer Loop Freeway

April 27, 2017

Loop 101 Opening in 1988

By John Dougherty / ADOT Communications

Because this photo is in black and white it appears it may be older than it actually is. In 1988, ADOT was celebrating the opening of the first section of Loop 101 in the West Valley. As you can see from the sign, it was nicknamed the "Outer Loop Freeway."

We've come a long way since that first section of Loop 101 was completed. This year, Loop 101 in Scottsdale was widened and construction began on the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway, which will complete the Loop 101/Loop 202 system.

ADOT looks ahead to Phoenix-area freeway projects in 2017

ADOT looks ahead to Phoenix-area freeway projects in 2017

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT looks ahead to Phoenix-area freeway projects in 2017

ADOT looks ahead to Phoenix-area freeway projects in 2017

January 5, 2017

PHOENIX – With Valley drivers benefiting from several freeway improvement projects completed during 2016, including the widening of Loop 101 between Shea Boulevard and Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) in the Scottsdale area, the Arizona Department of Transportation is poised to start or complete several Phoenix-area projects in the coming year.

ADOT’s highlights for the regional freeway system in 2017 include:

  • Beginning construction of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway. Work scheduled for the first half of 2017 includes setting foundations for some of the 40 bridges planned, widening eastbound lanes of Pecos Road to accommodate two-way traffic during construction, creating access roads near the freeway’s future interchange with Interstate 10 in west Phoenix and creating drainage structures. This 22-mile direct link between the East Valley and West Valley will open by late 2019.
  • Opening the south half of the Interstate 10/Loop 303 interchange in Goodyear by fall. The $63 million project, launched last February, will complete freeway-to-freeway ramps and extend Loop 303 south to Van Buren Street. Loop 303 traffic will then have direct connections to and from Cotton Lane south of I-10. The north half of the I-10/Loop 303 interchange opened to traffic in August 2014.
  • Resurfacing an 11-mile stretch of Interstate 17 between 19th and Peoria avenues in Phoenix in spring 2017. Crews will add a new layer of smooth, durable rubberized asphalt along the Black Canyon Freeway when warmer spring weather provides the best conditions for the resurfacing work. Rubberized asphalt, which has been used on Valley freeways for several years, includes rubber from shredded recycled tires as part of the pavement’s mixture.
  • Completion of the new Bell Road/Grand Avenue interchange in Surprise by spring 2017. The $42 million project started last February. Crews opened the new bridge carrying Bell Road over Grand Avenue and the parallel BNSF Railway tracks on Nov. 22. New ramps connecting Grand Avenue to and from the Bell Road bridge are scheduled for completion in time for the Cactus League baseball season in late February.
  • Installing Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) traffic-management technology between Ray and Broadway roads in Mesa. The project, scheduled to start by summer 2017, will add several overhead message signs, closed-circuit traffic cameras and traffic-flow sensors along the Santan Freeway. The technology allows ADOT to provide travelers with updated freeway conditions. A current ADOT Freeway Management System project along Loop 202 between Dobson and Ray roads is scheduled for completion in spring 2017.

ADOT’s 2016 Valley freeway construction accomplishments include:

  • Completing $109 million in Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) improvements between Loop 101 and Broadway Road, adding new travel lanes between Loop 101 and Gilbert Road, extending HOV lanes by 11 miles between Gilbert and Broadway Roads and resurfacing the roadway with rubberized asphalt.
  • Completing $74 million in Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) improvements between Shea Boulevard and Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) in the Scottsdale area, a project that added new right lanes and paved 11 miles of roadway with rubberized asphalt.
  • Widening Loop 303 to three lanes in each direction between Grand Avenue (US 60) and Happy Valley Parkway in the northwest Valley, a $30 million project that wrapped up in 2016 with rubberized asphalt paving.
  • Performing preliminary construction for the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway.  Work began in September with improvements to the I-10/Loop 202 Santan Freeway interchange in the Ahwatukee area.
  • Opening State Route 51 ramps to and from Black Mountain Boulevard at the Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) interchange. ADOT teamed with the city of Phoenix on this $17.8 million project to improve access in the Desert Ridge area of northeast Phoenix.

ADOT works with the Maricopa Association of Governments, the Phoenix area’s metropolitan planning organization, to schedule and deliver projects as part of the 20-year Regional Transportation Plan approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004. Funding sources include a countywide half-cent sales tax dedicated to transportation improvements as well as the Phoenix region’s share of state and federal transportation funds.

Completed Loop 101 widening means reduced use of ramp meters

Completed Loop 101 widening means reduced use of ramp meters

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Completed Loop 101 widening means reduced use of ramp meters

Completed Loop 101 widening means reduced use of ramp meters

December 8, 2016

PHOENIX – One of the benefits of the recent widening of Loop 101 in the Scottsdale area is that on-ramp meters, featuring those alternating green and red traffic signals, won’t be in use as often now.

The Arizona Department of Transportation followed up on the addition of new Loop 101 lanes by assessing improved traffic conditions between Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway). The result: Most ramp meters in that area will now be used about half as often as they were before ADOT launched the $73 million project to improve 11 miles of Loop 101 south of Shea Boulevard.

The ramp meters in the Scottsdale area weren’t in use during construction, which included rebuilding on- and off-ramps along the freeway. Crews are scheduled to activate the meters again starting Monday, Dec. 12. Prior to the widening project, the meters were used during both the morning and afternoon peak commute times.

With reduced congestion, drivers can expect most Loop 101 ramp meters in the Scottsdale area to be used during only one peak commute period each weekday. 

For example, ramp meters along the busier northbound Loop 101 between McKellips and Indian Bend roads will only be in use from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. weekdays. Conversely, most ramp meters along southbound Loop 101 between Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and McKellips Road will only be used during the 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. peak commute times. The hours of operation will vary slightly depending on location and anticipated traffic conditions (see the list below).

The northbound Loop 101 ramp meters at Via De Ventura, 90th Street and Shea Boulevard will still be used during both the morning and afternoon rush hours. At this time, the southbound Loop 101 ramp meter at Shea Boulevard and northbound meter at Cactus Road won’t be used at all. The southbound ramp meter at Raintree Drive will be limited to use during the morning rush hour.

Ramp meters are used to enhance traffic flow by providing space between vehicles entering freeways across the Phoenix area. That space between vehicles also promotes safer merging conditions for drivers who are either entering or exiting freeways.

Ramp meter use and hours of operation are subject to change depending on future traffic conditions.
 

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Loop 101 entrance ramp meter schedule as of Dec. 12, 2016  

7 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Loop 101 North ramp meters at McKellips Road, McDowell Road, Thomas Road, Indian School Road, Chaparral Road, McDonald Drive and Indian Bend Road.

6 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Loop 101 South ramp meter at Raintree Drive.

3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Loop 101 South ramp meters at Chaparral Road, Indian School Road, Thomas Road, McDowell Road and McKellips Road.

3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Loop 101 South ramp meters at Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard, Cactus Road, Indian Bend Road and McDonald Drive.

3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

  • Loop 101 South at 90th Street, Via De Ventura.
  • Loop 101 North at Raintree Drive and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard.

7 a.m. – 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Loop 101 North ramp meters at Via De Ventura, 90th Street and Shea Boulevard.

Note: Loop 101 North ramp meter at 90th Street will start at 3 p.m.

Not in use at this time

Loop 101 South ramp meter at Shea Boulevard and Loop 101 North ramp meter at Cactus Road.