PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation is looking ahead to starting, continuing or completing construction on several Phoenix-area freeway projects in 2025. 

Topping ADOT’s list of new construction projects is an extension of Loop 303 from Van Buren Street south to Maricopa County Highway 85 (MC 85) in the Goodyear area. Here is an overview:

• The Loop 303 project, currently in final design, will provide three freeway lanes in each direction between Van Buren Street and Lower Buckeye Road and two lanes in each direction from Lower Buckeye Road to MC 85. New bridges will carry the freeway over several cross streets and the Union Pacific Railroad. The new stretch of Loop 303 will be built where Cotton Lane currently carries area traffic. Work is scheduled to start by fall 2025 and last approximately three years. More information: azdot.gov/L303-MC85-VanBuren.

The following are among ADOT’s major Phoenix-area freeway projects in 2025:

• Completion of the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project between the I-17 “Split” and Loop 202 by spring. This has been the largest freeway reconstruction project in ADOT’s history. Work started in fall 2021. Along with new lanes that already have been added along 11 miles of I-10, crews are finishing elevated ramps providing direct connections at the I-10/State Route 143 interchange. They also will complete two pedestrian/bicyclist bridges and widening the Guadalupe Road bridge over I-10. More information: i10broadwaycurve.com.   
• The Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) Improvement Project between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road in Scottsdale is scheduled for completion by early 2026. Work started in January 2024. The project includes the addition of a lane in each direction within a 4.5-mile work zone. Crews also are converting the Loop 101 interchange at Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard into a diamond configuration to improve traffic flow. More information: azdot.gov/Loop101PrincessToShea         
• Completion of the I-17 Improvement Project between Anthem Way and Sunset Point north of Phoenix in late 2025. Work on the 23-mile project started in fall 2022. Crews are nearing completion of third lanes in each direction between Anthem Way and Black Canyon City. Work also continues on the unique 8-mile flex lanes system north of Black Canyon City. More information: improvingi17.com

• The start of an I-10/Loop 101 Interchange Improvement Project in the West Valley is expected by summer 2025. Work will include construction of new HOV ramps providing I-10/Loop 101 connections to and from the east (downtown Phoenix). Crews also will modify the existing southbound Loop 101 to eastbound I-10 ramp to add a direct “exit ramp” to 91st Avenue. A new combined southbound Loop 101 exit to both Thomas and McDowell roads will be built to help manage overall freeway traffic flow. Construction is expected to last two years. More Information: azdot.gov/I10andLoop101WestValleyRampsProject
• Work will advance on the Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) Widening Project between I-17 and 75th Avenue in the northwest Valley. The two-and-a half year project started in September 2024. In addition to adding new Loop 101 lanes in each direction, the project includes interchange and cross-street improvements at 75th Avenue. More information: azdot.gov/Loop101West75thToi17
• The Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) Widening Project between Loop 101 (Price Freeway) and Val Vista Drive in the southeast Valley, which started in Aug. 2024, will add new lanes in each direction. Bridge and interchange improvements also are underway. The project is scheduled for completion by early 2027. More information: azdot.gov/L202-L101-to-ValVista                      
• Construction of new I-10 Gila River bridges southeast of Riggs Road will advance during 2025. Crews started work in summer 2024 to replace the outdated existing I-10 bridges crossing the Gila River. Completion is scheduled by summer 2026.
• Completion of the I-17 Resurfacing Project between Happy Valley Road and State Route 74 in north Phoenix by March 2025. The project, which started in May has included diamond grinding of the freeway’s concrete pavement surface. ADOT also is finalizing plans for an I-17 resurfacing project between SR 74 and Anthem Way, scheduled to start by summer 2025.

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. Many projects are funded in part by Proposition 400, a dedicated sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004. Voters in November approved Proposition 479, extending the existing half-cent tax to fund future transportation projects in the Phoenix region.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov and via the AZ511 app (download free for Apple and Android devices). ADOT also provides highway condition updates via its Twitter/X feed, @ArizonaDOT. 

PHOENIX – Southbound Interstate 17 will be closed at Loop 303 from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 13-16, for ongoing pavement improvement work, with traffic taking the off- and on-ramps and then using one lane until Jomax Road.

Drivers should allow extra time, consider traveling during non-peak morning or nighttime hours and stay on the designated detour route.

To help keep traffic moving through the work zone, Loop 303/Sonoran Desert Drive will be closed under I-17. Eastbound Loop 303 traffic can reach northbound I-17 by taking I-17 southbound to Happy Valley Road. 

ADOT offers these additional tips to assist drivers when I-17 weekend closures are scheduled:

• Stay on the detour route regardless of what a navigation app may suggest. This is the best way to reduce delays for yourself and others. Avoid attempting to detour on local streets, which are not designed for large traffic volumes.
   
• ADOT will be placing local-traffic-only closures at neighborhood entrances on a number of streets near I-17 to help keep detouring traffic off local roadways. Law enforcement officers will be stationed at intersections throughout the area to assist with traffic flow.

Crews are continuing a much-needed project to improve the ride on 6 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 are 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.

Future weekend restrictions for this project are currently scheduled as follows:

• Northbound I-17 narrowed to one lane between Loop 303 and SR 74/Carefree Highway from 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 23, and from 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30.

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 – An Arizona Department of Transportation project that constructed Loop 303 interchanges at 43rd and 51st avenues near Interstate 17 has been named a top 12 finalist in the 2024 America’s Transportation Awards competition.  

This designation makes the $70 million Loop 303 project eligible for two different honors: the Grand Prize and the People’s Choice Award. The competition is sponsored by AASHTO, an association representing highway and transportation departments nationwide, as well as AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Through Oct. 29, you can vote once daily for the People’s Choice Award by visiting americastransportationawards.org. The Grand Prize will be decided by an independent panel of transportation experts. Both awards will be presented at AASHTO’s annual meeting in Philadelphia.

ADOT partnered with the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), the regional transportation planning agency, and city of Phoenix to accelerate construction of the Loop 303 bridges and ramps to address current and future traffic growth near the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. plant in the north Valley. The interchanges were completed in September 2023, several years sooner than originally planned.

“With a large semiconductor manufacturing facility under construction, these two interchanges are connecting Arizonans and empowering our state’s economy,” ADOT Director Jennifer Toth said. “This collaboration with the Maricopa Association of Governments and city of Phoenix also supports continued development and growth of businesses and services, including health care and housing.”

Earlier this year, the project earned a West Region award in the America’s Transportation Awards “Quality of Life/Community Development, Medium Project” category among state departments of transportation.

Construction of new Loop 303 interchanges at 43rd and 51st avenues was funded through the dedicated Proposition 400 half-cent sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004. The project is part of the Phoenix area’s Regional Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Investment Plan managed by MAG.

The new interchanges were designed to help manage future transportation needs in the area, support the Phoenix area’s growing semiconductor footprint and its supply chain, and allow for community development, including businesses and services. 

ADOT manages the construction and maintenance of nearly 7,000 miles of state highways, including Phoenix-area freeways. Project information is available at azdot.gov/projects. 

PHOENIX – A recent Arizona Department of Transportation project that constructed Loop 303 interchanges at 43rd and 51st avenues near Interstate 17 is a winner in the 2024 America’s Transportation Awards competition that includes a focus on community development.

The $70 million Loop 303 project earned a West Region award in the “Quality of Life/Community Development, Medium Project” category in the national competition among state departments of transportation. The competition is sponsored by AASHTO, an association representing highway and transportation departments nationwide, as well as AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

ADOT partnered with the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), the regional transportation planning agency, and city of Phoenix to accelerate construction of the Loop 303 bridges and ramps to address current and future traffic growth near the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. plant in the north Valley. The interchanges were completed in September 2023, several years sooner than originally planned.

“This project is an example of great teamwork and cooperation among partnering organizations,” said ADOT’s Central District Administrator Randy Everett. “It took a lot of hard work by staff at MAG, city of Phoenix, ADOT and the contractor, Fisher Sand and Gravel, to deliver this project on the accelerated schedule.”

The award was presented this week at the annual meeting of WASHTO, which represents departments of transportation in the West.

Construction of new Loop 303 interchanges at 43rd and 51st avenues was funded through the dedicated Proposition 400 half-cent sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004. The project is part of the Phoenix area’s Regional Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Investment Plan managed by MAG.

The new interchanges were designed to help manage future transportation needs in the area, support the Phoenix area’s growing semiconductor footprint and its supply chain, and allow for community development, including businesses and services. 

ADOT manages the construction and maintenance of nearly 7,000 miles of state highways, including Phoenix-area freeways. Project information is available at azdot.gov/projects. 

PHOENIX – If you have travel plans along Grand Avenue (US 60) in the Surprise area this weekend (May 4-5), be sure to allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes while pavement sealing work is taking place. 

The Arizona Department of Transportation is doing the work to extend the lifespan of the existing US 60 asphalt pavement in the area west of Loop 303.

The following US 60 restrictions are scheduled:

• Grand Avenue narrowed to one lane in both directions between 163rd Avenue (west of Loop 303) and Center Street (Wittmann area) from 11 p.m. Friday to 3 p.m. Saturday (May 4) and from 11 p.m. Saturday to 3 p.m. Sunday (May 5) for pavement sealing work. The Deer Valley Road connection to US 60 will be closed. Temporary closures of other cross streets will be needed for work at intersections. Detours: Westbound US 60 drivers can use northbound Loop 303 to northbound Lake Pleasant Parkway and westbound State Route 74. Eastbound US 60 drivers (from Wickenburg) can consider using eastbound SR 74 to southbound Lake Pleasant Parkway and southbound Loop 303 to reach Grand Avenue (US 60). Local drivers near 163rd Avenue can consider alternate routes including eastbound Happy Valley Road to access Loop 303/Happy Valley Parkway.

Similar restrictions are scheduled the weekend of May 11-12 along US 60 between Center Street in Wittmann and SR 74.
Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov and via the AZ511 app (download free for Apple and Android devices). ADOT also provides highway condition updates via its X/Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT. 

PHOENIX – Loop 303 is scheduled to be narrowed to one lane in both directions near Northern Avenue Monday through Thursday nights, July 17-20, for pavement maintenance, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Drivers should allow extra travel time and be prepared to slow down and merge safely when the following restrictions are in place:

• Loop 303 narrowed to one lane in each direction in areas near the Northern Avenue and Northern Parkway interchanges from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday nights, July 17-20. On- and off-ramps in the area will remain open to traffic.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov. ADOT also provides highway condition updates via its Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation will hold two public meetings next week (May 10 and May 11) to provide information, gather comments and answer questions about plans for a new four-mile segment of Loop 303 south of Interstate 10 in the Goodyear area.

The meeting on May 10 will be held at Desert Edge High School while a virtual meeting is scheduled on May 11.

The Loop 303 project, currently in design with construction targeted to start in 2025, would build three lanes in each direction between Van Buren Street and Lower Buckeye Road and two lanes in each direction between Lower Buckeye Road and Maricopa County 85. Other additions, including new or improved interchange connections, also are planned. 

The May 10 in-person meeting details are as follows:

• When: Wednesday, May 10, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. (presentation at 6 p.m.)
• Where: Desert Edge High School Cafeteria, 15778 W. Yuma Road, Goodyear

The May 11 virtual meeting details are as follows:

• When: Thursday, May 11, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• Join online (Zoom): tinyurl.com/4vzn6thr (Meeting ID: 873 8781 5425)
• Join by phone: For English call 669.900.6833 
• Join by phone: For Spanish call 866.730.7514 (PIN number 984619#)
• Register for the meeting (optional) at https://surveymonkey.com/r/Z96V8XY

For more information visit the project website at azdot.gov/L303-MC85-VanBuren. For those not able to attend the meetings, presentation slides will be posted to the project website prior to the May 10 in-person meeting. Public comments can be submitted through May 25 via an online form at azdot.gov/L303MC85-VanBuren-CommentForm or through other methods, which are listed on the website.

The project is scheduled as part of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Freeway Plan. Projects are funded in part by Proposition 400, a dedicated sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004.