Loop 303

All ramps are open at the Loop 303/I-10 traffic interchange

All ramps are open at the Loop 303/I-10 traffic interchange

All ramps are open at the Loop 303/I-10 traffic interchange

September 4, 2014

Have you heard the news? All four of the ramps connecting Loop 303 and I-10 are open!

We told you about the first two ramps (southbound Loop 303 to eastbound I-10 and eastbound I-10 to northbound Loop 303) last month. Shortly after that, the two additional ramps (westbound I-10 to northbound Loop 303 and southbound Loop 303 to westbound I-10) opened up to drivers on Aug. 24.

As you can see in the video above, there’s also a frontage road system connecting Sarival Avenue to Citrus Road – it is expected to open by mid-September and is the last piece of this phase of the interchange project. Phase II of the project, which will provide southbound access from I-10 to Van Buren Street, is currently in design and is expected to begin construction in 2016.

Looking back

Work on the interchange started in late 2011 and we’ve been covering the project’s progress along the way. We thought it might be fun to look back at some of those posts and videos. After you finish watching the video above, check out these links to learn more about:

Of course, the interchange is just one part of the improvements happening along the Loop 303 corridor. ADOT is working to improve Loop 303 to create a six-lane freeway with three general-purpose lanes in each direction between I-17 in Phoenix and I-10 in Goodyear.

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ADOT opens two ramps connecting Loop 303, I-10

ADOT opens two ramps connecting Loop 303, I-10

ADOT opens two ramps connecting Loop 303, I-10

August 20, 2014

Work on the Loop 303/I-10 traffic interchange started near the end of 2011 and now, more than two and a half years later, the project is nearly complete – in fact, two ramps are already open to traffic!

If you made it out to the site last Saturday for ADOT’s open house, you got an up-close look at all that progress. If not, we’ve got you covered with today’s video…

In it you can see that besides being an opportunity for visitors to check out the interchange, the event also offered the chance to reflect on what the new connection means to the area.

“This is so much bigger than just a freeway expansion,” says Gov. Jan Brewer in the video above. “It opens up our state to the growing communities in the West Valley, expanding commerce and easing travel throughout the region.”

ADOT Director John Halikowski also noted how the improvements to the area’s transportation system, including the $145 million Loop 303/I-10 interchange, will make a difference.

“As many of the freeway loops do, it represents connectivity, not just between cities here in the west Valley, but between cities all over the Valley,” Halikowski said.

Two ramps now open

On Aug. 17, ADOT opened two of the elevated ramps, providing drivers with the first-ever direct connection between I-10 and the Loop 303.

Motorists can now use the interchange to travel from southbound Loop 303 to eastbound I-10 and those headed east on I-10 now have a faster way to reach northbound Loop 303.

The remaining two ramps at the interchange (westbound I-10 to northbound Loop 303 and southbound Loop 303 to westbound I-10) are expected to open by September.

For more information on this project and to see its progress, revisit some of our previous blog posts. You can also see photos of the Aug. 16 open house event on the ADOT Flickr page.

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ADOT opens two ramps connecting Loop 303, Interstate 10

ADOT opens two ramps connecting Loop 303, Interstate 10

ADOT opens two ramps connecting Loop 303, Interstate 10

August 17, 2014

PHOENIX - Drivers in the Goodyear area, west of Phoenix, have a new and improved way to travel between Interstate 10 and the Loop 303 freeway, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Crews building the interchange linking I-10 and Loop 303 in Goodyear opened two elevated ramps this morning, providing drivers with the first-ever direct connections between the two freeways.

One of the new ramps connects southbound Loop 303 traffic to eastbound I-10, while the second ramp provides eastbound I-10 traffic with a faster way to reach northbound Loop 303.

ADOT expects to open two remaining ramps at the interchange by September.

Construction on the $145 million freeway-to-freeway interchange started in November 2011.

Governor Jan Brewer and other dignitaries took part in a dedication ceremony at the interchange on Saturday. ADOT and Goodyear also hosted local residents at an "open house" tour of the project's job site Saturday morning.

Officials on Saturday not only celebrated the upcoming completion of the Loop 303/I-10 interchange project but also the recent series of ADOT projects to reconstruct 12 miles of Loop 303 into a six-lane freeway between I-10 in Goodyear and Grand Avenue in Surprise.

The Loop 303 improvement projects are funded through the Maricopa Association of Governments' 20-year Regional Transportation Plan approved by county voters in 2004.

Loop 303 ‘Open House’ gives local residents a closer look at soon-to-be-opened interchange with I-10 in West Valley

Loop 303 ‘Open House’ gives local residents a closer look at soon-to-be-opened interchange with I-10 in West Valley

Loop 303 ‘Open House’ gives local residents a closer look at soon-to-be-opened interchange with I-10 in West Valley

August 16, 2014

PHOENIX – Valley residents and other guests had a chance to walk, jog, bike and even skate this morning on part of the soon-to-be-opened Loop 303 interchange at Interstate 10 in the West Valley.

The Loop 303 “Open House” event was held in Goodyear on a section of the new I-10 frontage road that travels beneath two elevated ramps that will soon provide connections between the two freeways, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Governor Jan Brewer took part in the celebration, and was joined by a group of Valley mayors, including Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The local leaders marked both the upcoming interchange completion, scheduled for September, and ADOT’s recent series of projects to improve Loop 303 into a six-lane freeway between I-10 and Grand Avenue.

Before helping to cut the ribbon on Saturday, the Governor said the Loop 303 improvements promise to help drive the region’s economy.

“I’m thrilled to be on my side of town today to celebrate Arizona’s newest freeway completion,” said the Governor. “It opens up our state to the growing communities in the West Valley – expanding commerce and easing travel throughout the region.”

ADOT Director John Halikowski also noted how the improvements to the area’s transportation system, including the $145 million Loop 303/I-10 interchange, will continue to create jobs.

“I can’t overstate the importance of all the work that has gone into planning, designing and now building the Loop 303 into a freeway that improves business access over the coming decades,” said Halikowski. “There’s a vital link between transportation improvements and jobs created by nearby economic development projects.”

When all four ramps connecting I-10 and Loop 303 are opened to traffic in the coming weeks, drivers for the first time will be able to travel along all 36 miles of Loop 303 between I-17 in north Phoenix and I-10 in Goodyear.

The Loop 303 projects are all part of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Transportation Plan approved by county voters in 2004.

Check out the new Loop 303/I-10 Interchange before it opens to traffic

Check out the new Loop 303/I-10 Interchange before it opens to traffic

Check out the new Loop 303/I-10 Interchange before it opens to traffic

August 14, 2014

L303 and I-10 Traffic Interchange nears completion

We’re coming upon a very big, or should we say very tall, milestone for the Loop 303/I-10 interchange project…

On Saturday morning (Aug. 16), ADOT and the city of Goodyear will host an open house to allow local residents and visitors the chance to walk, jog, skate or cycle beneath the elevated ramps that will soon carry traffic between Loop 303 and I-10 in the West Valley.

Saturday’s event not only marks the upcoming completion of the Loop 303/I-10 interchange (all ramps at the interchange are scheduled to be open to traffic by September), it also celebrates the completion of ADOT’s recent series of projects to improve Loop 303 from an older two-lane highway to a six-lane freeway traveling north and south from Goodyear to Surprise.

If you’ve ever attended one of ADOT’s dedications, you know that these events offer a fun, up-close look at the some of the state’s newest infrastructure. For an idea of what we’re talking about, check out our coverage of the SR 24 opening in April or the Loop 303 (Happy Valley Parkway to I-17) dedication back in 2011.

If you plan to join us, here’s what you need to know…

The dedication event will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday along the new westbound I-10 frontage road that also was built as part of the $145 million freeway-to-freeway interchange project.

Loop 303 Corridor map

Gov. Jan Brewer is scheduled to be on hand for the event (she’s slated to speak at a ribbon-cutting ceremony starting at 9 a.m.), along with Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord, ADOT Director John Halikowski and other dignitaries.

Parking will be available on the eastbound I-10 frontage road east of Citrus Road, south of I-10, in Goodyear. Citrus Road, which is west of the new Loop 303/I-10 Interchange, can be accessed from either McDowell Road or Van Buren Street (see map).

After parking, those attending the event will be able to walk or roll through the Cotton Lane underpass beneath I-10 and have an up-close view of the large ramps at the interchange. Local community organizations will also be on hand to share information with guests.

For safety reasons, those attending the open house will not be able to go onto the elevated ramps at the interchange. Guests are asked to be prepared for sunny conditions and are discouraged from bringing dogs or other pets because the pavement will get hotter as the morning moves along.

For more information on this project and to see its progress, revisit some of our previous blog posts.

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ADOT and Goodyear to host public dedication of Loop 303/I-10 Interchange on Saturday, August 16

ADOT and Goodyear to host public dedication of Loop 303/I-10 Interchange on Saturday, August 16

ADOT and Goodyear to host public dedication of Loop 303/I-10 Interchange on Saturday, August 16

August 2, 2014

PHOENIX – A public “Open House” and dedication on Saturday morning, August 16, at the soon-to-be-completed Loop 303/I-10 Traffic Interchange in Goodyear will provide local residents and visitors with a chance to walk, jog, skate or cycle beneath the elevated ramps that will soon carry traffic between the two freeways.

Governor Jan Brewer is scheduled to join Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord, ADOT Director John Halikowski and other dignitaries at the event to mark the upcoming completion of the interchange as well as other recently-completed Loop 303 projects north of I-10. The interchange is scheduled to open to traffic in September.

The Loop 303 dedication event will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on August 16 along the new westbound I-10 frontage road that also was built as part of the $145 million freeway-to-freeway interchange project.

Parking will be available on the eastbound I-10 frontage road east of Citrus Road, south of I-10, in Goodyear. Those attending the event will then be able to walk or roll through the Cotton Lane underpass beneath I-10 and have an up-close view of the large ramps at the interchange.

For safety reasons, visitors will not be able to walk, jog or ride along the elevated ramps at the interchange.

Governor Brewer will speak at a ribbon-cutting ceremony starting at 9 a.m.

The Open House and dedication also will celebrate the completion of ADOT’s recent series of projects to improve Loop 303 from an older two-lane highway to a six-lane freeway traveling north and south from Goodyear to Surprise.

ADOT postpones early opening of new ramp at I-10/Loop 303 interchange this weekend

ADOT postpones early opening of new ramp at I-10/Loop 303 interchange this weekend

ADOT postpones early opening of new ramp at I-10/Loop 303 interchange this weekend

July 11, 2014

PHOENIX – The planned early opening of one of the ramps that will soon connect Interstate 10 and Loop 303 in the West Valley will not take place this weekend, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

ADOT has decided to postpone opening the eastbound I-10 ramp to northbound Loop 303 until overhead lighting is in place for all four of the ramps that will connect the two freeways.

Plans had called for crews to open the eastbound I-10 ramp to northbound Loop 303 ahead of schedule to reduce the amount of traffic using the construction detour route along McDowell Road and Cotton Lane.

The new ramp and three others at the I-10/Loop 303 interchange will instead open on schedule in September.

Work on the $145 million interchange connecting I-10 and Loop 303 began in November 2011.

Look at the progress: Loop 303/I-10 traffic interchange

Look at the progress: Loop 303/I-10 traffic interchange

Look at the progress: Loop 303/I-10 traffic interchange

March 13, 2014

When we told you last week about the newest Loop 303 milestone, were you secretly wishing that we’d show you more photos of the site’s progress? If so, you are in luck today!

Compare a view of the project from December (top) with the view from just last week (bottom photo) and notice the progress.

All of the photos you see above were taken just a week ago at the Loop 303/I-10 traffic interchange. If you’ve been following along with us here on the blog, you’ll notice there has been a lot of progress since we checked in on the project back in December.

Work on the Loop 303/I-10 interchange is still scheduled to wrap up later this year. Loop 303 construction on Camelback Road to Glendale Avenue is also slated to continue through summer of 2014.

For more information on the interchange project and the rest of the Loop 303, visit azdot.gov/Loop303 … or revisit some of our previous blog posts.

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A new milestone for Loop 303 project

A new milestone for Loop 303 project

A new milestone for Loop 303 project

March 7, 2014

A look at the bridges at McDowell Road and Thomas Road (top).

West Valley drivers are going to notice a change at Loop 303/McDowell Road and Loop 303/Thomas Road come Sunday morning.

But before we get to that, let us first tell you about an overnight closure that’s going to help bring about that change…

Loop 303 will be closed in both directions between McDowell and Indian School roads from 4 a.m. Saturday (March 8) to 9 a.m. Sunday (March 9). McDowell Road also will be closed during that time between Citrus Road and Sarival Avenue.

The closure is necessary so crews can finish up some striping, remove barriers and traffic control, and activate traffic signals.

Once they’re finished, drivers will be able to use the full McDowell Road Bridge. Right now, motorists are only able to drive on the south side of the bridge and traffic is limited to one lane in each direction.

That’s not all. After crews wrap up on Sunday morning, drivers heading north on Loop 303 will now use the Thomas Road Bridge to reach the freeway on-ramp, instead of having to maneuver a detour.

The milestones on this project are really starting to add up. Work is on schedule for the Loop 303/I-10 interchange to wrap up later this year. Loop 303 construction on Camelback Road to Glendale Avenue is also slated to continue through summer of 2014.

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ADOT to hold Loop 303 meeting in Sun City West on Wednesday (Feb. 26)

ADOT to hold Loop 303 meeting in Sun City West on Wednesday (Feb. 26)

ADOT to hold Loop 303 meeting in Sun City West on Wednesday (Feb. 26)

February 24, 2014

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has scheduled a pair of informational meetings about three future Loop 303 improvement projects in the Sun Cities and Surprise area.

The trio of projects will widen Loop 303 to three lanes in each direction between Grand Avenue (US 60) and Happy Valley Parkway, improve the Grand Avenue/Loop 303 traffic interchange and construct a new interchange at the El Mirage Road connection with the freeway.

The meetings are scheduled as follows:

Wednesday, Feb. 26 – 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Palm Ridge Recreation Center
Summit Hall B
13800 W. Deer Valley Drive
Sun City West

Tuesday, March 11 – 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Sagebrush Ballroom
19753 N. Remington Drive
Surprise

ADOT project team members will be on hand to provide updates about the upcoming projects and answer questions from attendees. The projects are currently in various stages of design.

The project to widen approximately six miles of the freeway from four to six lanes (three in each direction) between US 60 and Happy Valley Parkway is expected to break ground this summer.

The two projects to improve the interchange at the Loop 303 and Grand Avenue and add an interchange with ramps at El Mirage Road are expected to start by early 2015. The three projects are scheduled for completion in 2016.

The projects are funded as part of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ 20-Year Regional Transportation Plan approved by county voters in 2004.

For information about ADOT freeway-related projects in the Phoenix region visit azdot.gov/projects or call 1.855.712.8530.

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