PHOENIX – An open house Tuesday, May 22, in Ahwatukee will allow attendees to view renderings and provide feedback on a 32nd Street traffic interchange the Arizona Department of Transportation is considering for the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway.

ADOT and project representatives will be available from 6-8 p.m. in the Desert Vista High School cafeteria at 16440 S. 32nd St., Phoenix.

While there will be no formal presentation, attendees will be able to speak one-on-one with project staff about the 32nd Street interchange environmental study, which began in February. They also can complete a questionnaire.

In addition, representatives of Connect 202 Partners, the developer building the freeway, will be available to answer construction-related questions.

For those unable to attend, there are still plenty of ways to provide feedback through June 4, including:

• Online: SouthMountainFreeway.com (click on the 32nd Street questionnaire or visit 32ndStreetStudy)
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 1.833.310.2470
• Mail: c/o ADOT Communications, 101 N. First Ave., St. 1950, Phoenix, AZ 85003-19234

A similar open house is scheduled for Wednesday, May 30, in Laveen regarding a South Mountain Freeway interchange being considered at Ivanhoe Street.

The latest project information is available via the project website at SouthMountainFreeway.com, email and text updates (click “Subscribe for Updates” on the project website), and the project hotline numbers (1.855.763.5202, or para Español, 623.239.4558).

The 22-mile freeway, expected to open by late 2019, will provide a long-planned direct link between the East Valley and West Valley and a much-needed alternative to Interstate 10 through downtown Phoenix. Approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985 and again in 2004 as part of a comprehensive regional transportation plan, the South Mountain Freeway will complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system in the Valley.

For more information, visit SouthMountainFreeway.com.

PHOENIX – Estrella Drive west of 51st Avenue in Laveen will close Monday, May 21, for construction of a Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway interchange.

The closure, which runs through November, will allow crews to accelerate construction of one of 13 interchanges planned for the South Mountain Freeway.

A similar extended closure enabled crews to complete an Elliot Road overpass in Laveen two months ago.

The Estrella Drive interchange will have an innovative modern roundabout design that minimizes its footprint while moving traffic efficiently and safely. Based on projected traffic volumes and the freeway’s alignment through the area, ADOT determined roundabouts to be a better option than a conventional diamond interchange for this location.

In order to build the Estrella Drive traffic interchange, construction crews will complete the following work:

• Build 100-foot-long freeway bridge over Estrella Drive
• Construct two roundabouts to improve access to the freeway
• Install underground utilities and drainage structures
• Place foundations for traffic signals and lighting

During the closure, local traffic will be detoured to Elliot Road between 51st Avenue and Barehand Road/67th Avenue.

Crews already have relocated utilities and constructed bridge columns that will support the bridge.

The South Mountain Freeway, which is slated to open late 2019, will provide a long-planned direct link between the East Valley and West Valley and a much-needed alternative to I-10 through downtown Phoenix. Approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985 and again in 2004 as part of a comprehensive regional transportation plan, the South Mountain Freeway will complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system in the Valley.

For more information on the South Mountain Freeway, visit SouthMountainFreeway.com.

PHOENIX – Based on community input since the start of construction, the Arizona Department of Transportation is considering two additional interchanges for the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway.
Two open houses are scheduled this month as part of the environmental study process on possible interchanges at 32nd Street in Ahwatukee and at Ivanhoe Street, located between the Ahwatukee and Laveen areas

Community members can view renderings and provide feedback by completing a questionnaire in person. Staff from Connect 202 Partners, the developer of the South Mountain Freeway, will answer questions regarding construction updates on Pecos and Center segments of the freeway:

• 32nd Street Traffic Interchange Study/Pecos Segment Construction Update Open House: Tuesday, May 22,  Desert Vista High School, Cafeteria, 16440 S. 32nd St., Phoenix

• Ivanhoe Street Traffic Interchange Study/Center Segment Construction Update Open House: Wednesday, May 30, Laveen Elementary School District Office, Building A, 5001 W. Dobbins Road, Phoenix

 

Both open houses are scheduled from 6-8 p.m. There is no formal presentation. The public can speak one-on-one with project staff about the studies and learn more about construction progress to date and what to expect for the rest of the year.

Those unable to attend the open houses can provide feedback through June 4 via channels including: 

• Online: SouthMountainFreeway.com (click on the 32nd Street and Ivanhoe Street questionnaires or visit 32ndStreetStudy.com and IvanhoeStreetStudy.com)
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 1.833.310.2470
• Mail: c/o ADOT Communications, 101 N. First Ave., St. 1950, Phoenix, AZ 85003-19234

 

The latest project information is available via the project website at SouthMountainFreeway.com, email and text updates (click “Subscribe for Updates” on the project website), and the project hotline numbers (1.855.763.5202, or para Español, 623.239.4558). 

The 22-mile freeway, expected to open by late 2019, will provide a long-planned direct link between the East Valley and West Valley and a much-needed alternative to Interstate 10 through downtown Phoenix. Approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985 and again in 2004 as part of a comprehensive regional transportation plan, the South Mountain Freeway will complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system in the Valley.

For more information, visit SouthMountainFreeway.com.

PHOENIX – A newly-built roadway adjacent to Interstate 10 in the West Valley will open to traffic this week, restoring 59th Avenue access after Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway construction required a permanent shift in traffic flow.

After the westbound I-10 off-ramp at 59th Avenue was closed and removed last month to make room for connecting ramps leading to and from the new freeway-to-freeway interchange, I-10 westbound motorists looking to access 59th Avenue have been forced to exit the freeway at 51st Avenue and detour to connect with 59th Avenue.

Beginning early Wednesday morning, May 2, westbound I-10 motorists will be able to bypass that detour and instead use the new two-lane access road that runs parallel to I-10 and reestablishes direct freeway access to 59th Avenue.

The first leg of the westbound I-10 access road between 51st and 59th avenues will open May 2. Then, following this weekend’s closure of westbound I-10 between 51st and 67th avenues for bridge construction (May 4-7), the westbound access road between 59th and 67th avenues will open.

Later this summer, the Arizona Department of Transportation and Connect 202 Partners, the South Mountain Freeway developer, will close the access road between 59th and 67th avenues for an extended period to replace the temporary ramp connector and construct a permanent ramp connector.

As part of this work, which began in late January, several I-10 ramps must be reconstructed to tie into a wider I-10 that will include connecting ramps to and from the South Mountain Freeway when it opens in late 2019.

Long-term and permanent closures of existing on-and-off ramps are necessary between 51st and 67th avenues until all of the new two-mile-long access roads are completed by fall 2018. The eastbound I-10 access roads are currently under construction.

The 22-mile freeway will provide a long-planned direct link between the East Valley and West Valley and a much-needed alternative to Interstate 10 through downtown Phoenix. Approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985 and again in 2004 as part of a comprehensive regional transportation plan, the South Mountain Freeway will complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system in the Valley.

For more information, visit SouthMountainFreeway.com.

PHOENIX – As work progresses on an interchange to connect the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway with Interstate 10 in the West Valley, another I-10 ramp will close to make room for the improvements.

The eastbound I-10 off-ramp at 59th Avenue will close permanently at 8 p.m. Sunday, April 29, as the Arizona Department of Transportation moves forward with replacing the existing I-10/59th Avenue traffic interchange and building new access roads between 51st and 67th avenues.

As an alternative, motorists should consider exiting eastbound I-10 at 67th or 51st avenues until the new I-10 access road between 67th and 59th avenues is completed in mid-May, which will provide future access to 59th Avenue.

This is one of several I-10 ramps that need to be removed permanently or reconstructed to tie into a wider I-10 that will include connecting ramps to and from the South Mountain Freeway when it opens late 2019.

Long-term and permanent closures of existing on-and-off ramps are necessary between 51st and 67th avenues until all of the new access roads are completed by fall 2018. Motorists will be able to access 59th Avenue from these new roadways.

Work schedules and restrictions are subject to change due to inclement weather or other factors. To stay up to date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov or call 511.

PHOENIX – Motorists traveling to the West Valley this weekend should allow extra travel time and  plan ahead to avoid a closure of westbound Interstate 10 (Papago Freeway) at 51st Avenue due to construction of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Beginning 10 p.m. Friday, April 20, westbound I-10 between 51st and 59th avenues will be closed until 5 a.m. Monday, April 23. The closure will ensure a 100-foot crane can safely remove temporary structures used to support a concrete structure, also known as a straddle bent, for a future flyover bridge that will connect to the South Mountain Freeway.

With heavy traffic and delays expected, ADOT recommends drivers consider alternate routes, such as the Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) west of I-17.

During the closure, westbound I-10 traffic will be able to exit the freeway at 51st Avenue. Westbound traffic will be detoured to McDowell Road and can return to westbound I-10 at 59th Avenue. The westbound I-10 on-ramps at 35th and 43rd avenues will also be closed as well to help reduce backups.

A second weekend closure (May 4-7) will be needed for additional bridge construction.

The 22-mile South Mountain Freeway, expected to open by late 2019, will provide a long-planned direct link between the East Valley and West Valley and a much-needed alternative to I-10 through downtown Phoenix. Approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985 and again in 2004 as part of a comprehensive regional transportation plan, the South Mountain Freeway will complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system in the Valley.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at az511.gov or call 511.

PHOENIX ‒ Controlled rock blasting for the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway west of 32nd Lane is scheduled to begin Thursday, April 19, requiring brief closures of a road leading to a residential development currently under construction.

Periodic closures of Shaughnessey Road are expected to last approximately 30 minutes, as crews need to secure and clear the area before breaking large rock into smaller, more manageable pieces to create a path for the freeway through two ridges at the southwestern edge of South Mountain Park.

All controlled rock blasts will be scheduled during daylight hours through early 2019. Message boards will provide advance notice of any traffic restrictions.

There will be no more than one closure per day, and the work will comply with safety standards established by the city of Phoenix and the U.S. Bureau of Mines.

South Mountain Freeway construction in the Center segment, a 3-mile portion of the freeway between 51st Avenue and 32nd Lane, began in March with work to install right-of-way fencing, salvage trees and cactuses and assess the soil, rock and depth of groundwater along the freeway alignment.

The South Mountain Freeway will provide a long-planned direct link between the East Valley and West Valley and a much-needed alternative to I-10 through downtown Phoenix. Approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985 and again in 2004 as part of a comprehensive regional transportation plan, the South Mountain Freeway will complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system in the Valley.

You can learn more about the South Mountain Freeway project and sign up for updates and weekly traffic alerts at SouthMountainFreeway.com.

PHOENIX – The longest bridges on the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway, two half-mile-long spans over the Salt River, are quickly emerging in Laveen. Construction is now two-thirds complete on these bridges, which will serve growing areas of the southwest Valley when the freeway opens by late 2019.

Travelers in this area currently have access to just one all-weather crossing of the Salt River between 35th Avenue and Avondale Boulevard: the city of Phoenix’s 51st Avenue bridge. When the Salt River flows, significant traffic congestion occurs, particularly along 51st Avenue.

Since work began in February 2017, crews have completed all piers and abutments that will support the 2,700-foot-long bridges. Meanwhile, work is progressing on the bridges’ girders, decks and railings.

The concrete girders, which are manufactured locally, are the longest precast girders ever installed by the Arizona Department of Transportation. Each weighs 169,000 pounds and is 170 feet long.

Once the girders are transported to the construction site, two large cranes work in tandem to hoist and methodically place them, with some girders needing to be lifted more than 50 feet above the riverbank.

To date, 238 of 292 girders have been set.

By fall 2018, after all the girders are in place and the bridge deck’s surface is finished, construction equipment will be able to travel across the bridges for the first time, aiding earthwork needed to build the freeway mainline. Connect 202 Partners, the developer of the South Mountain Freeway, will then haul more than 700,000 cubic yards of dirt material across the bridge to locations north of the Salt River.

The South Mountain Freeway will provide a long-planned direct link between the East Valley and West Valley and a much-needed alternative to Interstate 10 through downtown Phoenix. Approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985 and again in 2004 as part of a comprehensive regional transportation plan, the South Mountain Freeway will complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system in the Valley.

For information on the project, visit SouthMountainFreeway.com.