Loop 303

Wanna help your dear ol’ DOT win a national award?

Wanna help your dear ol’ DOT win a national award?

Wanna help your dear ol’ DOT win a national award?

By Steve Elliott / ADOT Communications

September 13, 2024

Aerial view of 43rd Avenue interchange with Loop 303

Exciting news: An ADOT project that added Loop 303 interchanges at 43rd and 51st avenues is a national finalist for top honors in the 2024 America’s Transportation Awards. And one of those honors, the People’s Choice Award, is decided by the public.

So please, vote early and vote often – preferably for us.

Actually, you can vote daily (and heaven knows we will be) through Oct. 29. All you have to do is visit americastransportationawards.org (Full disclosure: That link takes you straight to the page with our project so it's easier to vote for us).

Ours is among 12 projects from around the nation in the running for the People’s Choice Award as well as the Grand Prize, which will be decided by an independent panel of transportation experts. It’s all part of a competition sponsored by AASHTO, an association representing highway and transportation departments nationwide, as well as AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Earlier this year, the $70 million Loop 303 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. That got us to this point.

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.

It’s an honor just to be nominated for these awards. But it sure would be fun to win. So I hope you’ll please consider helping your dear ol’ DOT by casting a vote – or better, several dozen votes.

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Weekend Alert: Southbound I-17 closed at Loop 303 (Sept. 13-16)

Weekend Alert: Southbound I-17 closed at Loop 303 (Sept. 13-16)

Weekend Alert: Southbound I-17 closed at Loop 303 (Sept. 13-16)

September 11, 2024

Detour will use Loop 303 off- and on-ramps; I-17 lanes also restricted

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.

Loop 303 interchanges project named finalist for national honors

Loop 303 interchanges project named finalist for national honors

Loop 303 interchanges project named finalist for national honors

September 6, 2024

America’s Transportation Awards cites community development benefits

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.

“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.

ADOT project adding two Loop 303 interchanges wins regional award

ADOT project adding two Loop 303 interchanges wins regional award

ADOT project adding two Loop 303 interchanges wins regional award

July 15, 2024

America’s Transportation Awards cites community development benefits

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.

“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.

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.

Plan on weekend restrictions, delays along US 60 in the Surprise area

Plan on weekend restrictions, delays along US 60 in the Surprise area

Plan on weekend restrictions, delays along US 60 in the Surprise area

May 3, 2024

Pavement sealing work taking place on Grand Ave west of Loop 303

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.

Loop 303 restricted at night July 17-20 near Northern Ave.

Loop 303 restricted at night July 17-20 near Northern Ave.

Loop 303 restricted at night July 17-20 near Northern Ave.

July 14, 2023

Pavement maintenance will narrow freeway to one lane in each direction

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.

Public meetings set for May 10-11 about Loop 303 segment south of I-10 in West Valley

Public meetings set for May 10-11 about Loop 303 segment south of I-10 in West Valley

Public meetings set for May 10-11 about Loop 303 segment south of I-10 in West Valley

May 3, 2023

ADOT to host meetings about planned Van Buren Street to MC 85 project

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.

Crews are lifting heavy objects along Loop 303 in north Peoria

Crews are lifting heavy objects along Loop 303 in north Peoria

Crews are lifting heavy objects along Loop 303 in north Peoria

By Doug Nintzel / ADOT Communications

June 8, 2021

There are often times when progress on freeway construction takes place without much notice. That’s likely the case along a stretch of Loop 303 in north Peoria, where ADOT is managing a project to widen the freeway.

I’m guessing that many of you aren’t Loop 303 drivers - at least not on a regular basis. So you may not know that the freeway is being widened to three lanes in each direction between Happy Valley and Lake Pleasant parkways. We anticipate that the $20.3 million project will be completed early next year.

In addition to adding the new lanes, however, there is some major bridge construction taking place north of Happy Valley Parkway. Before you know it these bridges will carry Loop 303 traffic over the Beardsley Canal and over a traffic interchange that will provide a connection for the city of Peoria’s future Jomax Parkway.

Crews using large cranes recently lifted the girders into place for the bridges at the Jomax Parkway interchange. That’s no small feat, since each of the 28 girders is approximately 120 feet long and weighs about 90 tons. As our series of photos here shows, the girders are placed in 14 rows and secured with temporary bracing by the bridge builders. More recently, girders have been lifted into place for the freeway bridges over Beardsley Canal.

Since Loop 303 opened to traffic in this area in 2012, drivers in some locations actually have been using temporary lanes to the outside of the corridor (including areas where on- and off-ramps will be located). Plans have called for the current construction project to add the permanent mainline lanes of the freeway in areas like the Jomax Parkway interchange and Beardsley Canal crossing. So that’s why the bridges are being built now.

If you’ve been driving through that area and wondering, “Why are they building that bridge there?,” maybe this helps answer that question. It’s really about the “buildout” of the Loop 303’s lanes and looking ahead to the city of Peoria’s work to connect a new stretch of Jomax Parkway starting at Vistancia Boulevard and traveling down to the freeway.

As always, no matter the location, ADOT asks that you stay alert when approaching and traveling through all work zones. Please take that responsibility seriously. We’re looking out for you and your passengers. We hope you’re doing the same for those who are hard at work on Arizona’s growing transportation system.

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'C' is for new cameras along Loop 303

'C' is for new cameras along Loop 303

'C' is for new cameras along Loop 303

By David Rookhuyzen / ADOT Communications

February 10, 2021

Being the transportation geeks that we are, we get excited about a lot of things: Box culverts, Bid-Wells, bridge girders, etc. And that's just the Bs!

But if we moved down into the Cs, we find something else that makes us excited that we think you will like too: cameras.

As you are probably aware, ADOT has a network of more than 400 cameras statewide, with the majority being along the major freeways in Phoenix and Tucson. We use these traffic cameras to help manage traffic. When the ADOT Traffic Operations Center is notified of a freeway incident, dispatchers use our camera system to search for the incident. Once it's spotted, appropriate personnel are dispatched. Often Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers will be dispatched for a crash, but you may see a sweeper sent out to clean debris from the freeway or an ADOT Incident Response Unit helping set up traffic control.

Additionally, those feeds are provided to the public through az511.gov, so you can check traffic and/or weather conditons along your chosen route before you go. You can even set up personalized routes with just the cameras that matter to your daily commute.

So being able to see as much as possible along a freeway is a win-win for everyone.

That's why we are excited that az511 is now displaying nearly 20 new cameras along the Loop 303 between Northern and the I-17 junction. Folks wanting to get the skinny on what's happening near Grand Avenue, Happy Valley Road or Lake Pleasant Parkway can now pull up a camera and take a look.

Even if you don't live in the northwest Valley, go ahead and check out the new cameras. And, if you are so inclined, let us know how you like them on Twitter at azdot.gov/ArizonaDOT. If you mostly access information using your mobile device, you can also see our cameras by downloading the AZ 511 app.

Alright, now that we covered cameras, we can move into other "C" things we get excited about, such as curing compounds, climbing lanes, chip seals...

Oh, no longer interested? That's okay; go ahead and enjoy the new cameras!

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Loop 303 is latest freeway to get life-extending pavement treatment

Loop 303 is latest freeway to get life-extending pavement treatment

Loop 303 is latest freeway to get life-extending pavement treatment

September 27, 2018

PHOENIX – A long stretch of Loop 303 is the latest to undergo an oil-based treatment to extend the life of the pavement on Valley freeways.

Completed in less than a day over this past weekend, this work represents the most miles of freeway pavement the Arizona Department of Transportation has ever refreshed in a single fog seal project. In all, 21 miles of Loop 303 from I-10 in Goodyear to Happy Valley Parkway in Peoria were treated.

“This process allows us to keep the existing rubberized asphalt pavement in place while saving valuable state highway funds for other improvements,” said Steve Boschen, who directs ADOT’s Infrastructure Delivery and Operations Division. “Similar to changing the oil in your car at regular intervals, this extends the life of the pavement.”

In the past two years, other stretches of Phoenix-area freeways, including I-10, Loop 101 and State Route 51, have also been refreshed with the pavement sealant.

These projects have benefited from employee innovations that help limit how long freeways need to be closed for fog sealing.

For example, ADOT maintenance crews fashioned large diamond-shaped metal covers that are lifted into place by workers in trucks to protect HOV-lane pavement markers when the oil-based sealant is being applied along carpool lanes. This “reverse stencil” saves time and avoids the expense of repainting HOV-lane markers at an estimated cost of $310 each.

ADOT focused on advance planning and assigning adequate resources to limit the length of closures needed for the Loop 303 improvement. Working from both ends of the project’s limits, crews finished applying the pavement seal coat in a matter of hours using a fleet of tank trucks equipped with spray nozzles.

The team also quickly picked up barricades as segments of Loop 303 were ready to reopen in stages during the day. The entire freeway reopened two hours ahead of schedule.

“This was a huge team effort with preparations that started months ago,” said Randy Everett, ADOT’s Central District administrator. “We focused on lessening the impacts on drivers. The timing of getting traffic back on the freeway exceeded expectations. That’s a tribute to all employees who had a hand in getting the job done.”

With 155 lane miles now treated along Loop 303, ADOT is looking ahead to additional pavement treatments in coming years.

“We’ve learned a lot about this type of project, especially when it comes to communication,” said Mark Kilian, ADOT project supervisor. “This involved a lot of coordination to get the closure information out to the public as well as key stakeholders so they could plan on using detour routes. Staff inside the ADOT Traffic Operations Center in Phoenix played a key role in tracking our progress and providing status updates.”

Information about ADOT state highway improvement projects is available at azdot.gov/projects.

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