South Mountain Freeway

Eastbound I-10 on-ramp at 67th Avenue to close

Eastbound I-10 on-ramp at 67th Avenue to close

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Eastbound I-10 on-ramp at 67th Avenue to close

Eastbound I-10 on-ramp at 67th Avenue to close

April 5, 2018

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 on-ramp at 67th Avenue will close at 10 p.m. Friday, April 6, 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 entering eastbound I-10 at 75th or 59th avenues until the ramp reopens in late 2019 following its reconstruction.

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.

ADOT hits milestone for South Mountain Freeway construction

ADOT hits milestone for South Mountain Freeway construction

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ADOT hits milestone for South Mountain Freeway construction

ADOT hits milestone for South Mountain Freeway construction

April 4, 2018

By Laurie Merrill / ADOT Communications

For an agency that justifiably prides itself on meeting traffic milestones, this is still a pretty big one: the opening of the first bridge over what will be the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway.

This is the first time in five months that drivers in Laveen can continue motoring on Elliot Road without exiting before crossing the freeway right of way near 59th Avenue.

It’s also the first of 40 planned bridges along the South Mountain Freeway to open to motorists.

The 272-foot span is yet another step toward opening the 22-mile freeway by late 2019 and providing a much-needed direct connection between the West Valley and East Valley.

Since Elliot Road closed at the 59th Avenue, crews have constructed more than 2,000 feet of roadway improvements, including installing underground utilities and drainage structures, building retaining walls and moving more than 300,000 cubic yards of earth to create bridge approaches and ramps.

There’s more to come to complete the interchange: Crews will pave ramps and the mainline freeway and work on signage, lighting, final striping, signals and landscaping.

For more information and to sign up for project updates, please visit SouthMountainFreeway.com.

First South Mountain Freeway bridge opens to traffic

First South Mountain Freeway bridge opens to traffic

I-17 101 traffic interchange

First South Mountain Freeway bridge opens to traffic

First South Mountain Freeway bridge opens to traffic

April 2, 2018

PHOENIX – Drivers in Laveen are now using the first bridge completed for the South Mountain Freeway, marking a milestone for the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway project.

Following a five-month closure of the Elliot Road and 59th Avenue intersection, crews have completed a bridge that allows Elliot Road traffic to safely travel over the South Mountain Freeway mainline, which will open to traffic by late 2019.

The extended closure, which required motorists to detour to Dobbins Road between 59th and 75th avenues, allowed crews to accelerate construction on one of the 13 interchanges for the South Mountain Freeway. It is also one of 40 bridges planned for the 22-mile-long freeway corridor.

Since late October, crews have constructed more than 2,000 feet of roadway improvements, including:

  • Installing underground utilities and drainage structures, including several 4-foot-wide storm drain crossings
  • Building retaining walls, called mechanically stabilized earth walls
  • Moving more than 300,000 cubic yards of earthwork to create bridge approaches and ramps
  • Constructing a 272-foot, two-span bridge

Additional work needed to complete the interchange will include paving the ramps and mainline freeway, signage, lighting, final striping, signals and landscaping.

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.

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

Friday Five: Spring snow, small boats and new pavement

Friday Five: Spring snow, small boats and new pavement

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Friday Five: Spring snow, small boats and new pavement

Friday Five: Spring snow, small boats and new pavement

March 30, 2018

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

A lot has happened on Arizona’s highways this week. Our highways saw a snowstorm and even a lost boat. The Friday Five blog will give you a rundown of everything notable that transpired this week.

You can see what else others are sharing by following the hashtag #FridayFive on social media.

1. It seems like we’re announcing a new milestone in the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway almost every week. Above you can see a 2017 timeline of the progress. This week we announced that Southern Avenue has reopened in Laveen. The road was closed after Thanksgiving so crews could move than 450,000 cubic yards of earth without having to cross local traffic while building the southern half of the interchange, one of 13 on the 22-mile freeway.

2. A small boat was dropped in the middle of the Loop 101 Pima Freeway late Tuesday night. It caused many on Facebook to speculate why the boat may have ended up there.

3. Good news for those who frequently use I-10 to reach Tucson. In just 18 months, there will be three lanes in each direction on I-10 between Casa Grande and Tucson. The project begins next week and should be open to traffic by summer 2019.

4. A snowstorm on I-40 near the New Mexico state line caught some drivers off guard. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for unexpected weather changes when you’re traveling. The ADOT website has travel tips and a list of emergency items to keep in your vehicle.

2018-0403-northern-arizona-paving-projects

5. Arizona's winter weather can wreak havoc on the roads. To address the area's many freeze-thaw cycles, snow, snowplows and heavy use by commercial vehicles, we're starting several pavement improvement projects on I-40 and I-17 in the Flagstaff area.

 

 

Extended Southern Avenue closure paves way for South Mountain Freeway

Extended Southern Avenue closure paves way for South Mountain Freeway

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Extended Southern Avenue closure paves way for South Mountain Freeway

Extended Southern Avenue closure paves way for South Mountain Freeway

March 27, 2018

By Laurie Merrill / ADOT Communications

It had been since Thanksgiving that traffic rolled along Southern Avenue in Laveen near 59th Avenue. There was a good reason for that: Crews needed to move a lot of earth to finish the first phase of a Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway interchange project and reopen this busy road.

On Monday, traffic returned to Southern Avenue between 61st Avenue and 64th Drive. You can see it in the video above and slideshow below.

It’s no stretch to say that the residents are thankful to be using Southern Avenue again. Some, including school bus drivers, waved at us as they passed today.

Other than occasional overnight closures to complete a 125-foot bridge, Southern Avenue will remain open during phase two of the work.

Southern Avenue Reopening

“While closing Southern Avenue was certainly impactful to Laveen motorists in the last few months, in the long run this freeway will alleviate some of the growing traffic congestion on local roadways,” said ADOT Resident Engineer Adam Brahm, who oversees the Salt River segment of construction on the South Mountain Freeway.

Southern Avenue reopens in Laveen as South Mountain Freeway progresses

Southern Avenue reopens in Laveen as South Mountain Freeway progresses

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Southern Avenue reopens in Laveen as South Mountain Freeway progresses

Southern Avenue reopens in Laveen as South Mountain Freeway progresses

March 26, 2018

PHOENIX – After four months of construction, Southern Avenue reopened Monday between 61st Drive and 64th Avenue in Laveen after completion of the first phase of work on a Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway interchange.

During the closure, which began Nov. 27, crews with Connect 202 Partners, developer of the South Mountain Freeway, safely moved more than 450,000 cubic yards of earth without having to cross local traffic while building the southern half of the interchange, one of 13 on the 22-mile freeway.

“The closure allowed the Arizona Department of Transportation to accelerate construction and keep us on track toward opening the South Mountain Freeway by late 2019,” said ADOT Resident Engineer Adam Brahm, who oversees the Salt River segment of construction on the South Mountain Freeway. “While closing Southern Avenue was certainly impactful to Laveen motorists in the last few months, in the long run this freeway will alleviate some of the growing traffic congestion on local roadways.”

In addition to the extensive earthwork, crews have completed substantial work below grade, including installing underground utilities and drainage structures. Crews also have built columns, abutments and retaining walls that will support a 125-foot-long bridge. They also have repaved Southern Avenue.

With the southern half of the interchange complete, crews can now start work on the northern half of the interchange while traffic uses the newly paved eastbound lanes that motorists will share until all work is completed. Remaining work includes paving the ramps and mainline freeway, installing signage, constructing retaining walls, finishing construction of the Southern Avenue bridge, completing final striping and adding landscaping.

Occasional overnight closures will be needed to place bridge girders and pour the bridge deck.

With Southern Avenue reopened, construction on the Baseline Road interchange is expected to pick up in April. An extended closure of Baseline Road isn’t needed, but there will be intermittent closures to place bridge girders and pour the bridge deck in the future.

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.

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

Westbound I-10 on-ramp at 51st Avenue to close permanently

Westbound I-10 on-ramp at 51st Avenue to close permanently

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Westbound I-10 on-ramp at 51st Avenue to close permanently

Westbound I-10 on-ramp at 51st Avenue to close permanently

March 22, 2018

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 permanently to make room for the improvements. 

The westbound I-10 on-ramp at 51st Avenue will close permanently at 10 p.m. Friday, March 23. Earlier this month, the westbound I-10 off-ramp at 59th Avenue closed permanently 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 entering westbound I-10 at 43rd or 59th avenues until the new westbound access road between 51st and 59th avenues is completed in May.

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.

In addition, the I-10 eastbound off-ramp at 67th Avenue remains closed until the end of March, while the I-10 eastbound 67th Avenue on-ramp is scheduled to close permanently on April 7.

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.

From the Director: Progress Continues for South Mountain Freeway

From the Director: Progress Continues for South Mountain Freeway

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From the Director: Progress Continues for South Mountain Freeway

From the Director: Progress Continues for South Mountain Freeway

March 8, 2018

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

With more than 35 percent of the South Mountain Freeway construction project complete, the state’s largest single highway project ever is on schedule to open by late 2019. I commend our ADOT staff and Connect 202 Partners for keeping this large construction project on schedule.

It is hard to imagine the amount of materials needed to build this project. To date, crews have installed 8 miles of drainage pipe, moved 3.6 million cubic yards of dirt and used 2,900 tons of rebar manufactured from recycled steel.

Motorists in the West Valley are witnessing the building of the 1-10 interchange at 59th Avenue along with ramps and two direct HOV lane connections. New access roads parallel to I-10 between 51st and 67th avenues are taking shape. Construction of the 40 bridges and one pedestrian bridge continues this year. Construction crews have painted one of the interchanges along the Pecos segment that uses design elements from Frank Lloyd Wright.

The South Mountain Freeway is a vital economic development project for the region. As I have said before, this freeway connects people with employment, entertainment and educational centers.

To stay up-to-date on construction and traffic alerts, please visit www.azdot.gov/SouthMountainFreeway.


Director-Halikowski-headshot

 

This post originally appeared on ADOT Director John Halikowski's
LinkedIn page. He has led the agency since 2009.

Initial work to start in center stretch of South Mountain Freeway corridor

Initial work to start in center stretch of South Mountain Freeway corridor

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Initial work to start in center stretch of South Mountain Freeway corridor

Initial work to start in center stretch of South Mountain Freeway corridor

March 6, 2018

PHOENIX ‒ Crews are set to begin initial work on the 3-mile stretch at the center of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway that will provide a direct link between the West Valley and East Valley.

Construction in the Center segment, which is located between 51st Avenue and 32nd Lane and includes a section passing through the southwestern edge of the South Mountain Park, also will create five multi-use crossings and multiple drainage structures.

Crews have already started creating right-of-way fencing and surveying to identify and tag trees and cactuses in the path of construction that are good candidates for salvage. Over the next few months, hundreds of plants that eventually will be replanted along the freeway will be removed and placed in a temporary nursery.

Beginning this week, crews with heavy equipment will start assessing the condition of soil and rock as well as the depth of groundwater along the freeway alignment. These geotechnical investigations, which occur on every freeway expansion project, allow engineers to plan for pavement, bridges, walls and drainage structures.

This work, which will require building temporary access roads, is scheduled to continue for several months.

Starting as early as May, controlled rock blasting will begin along two ridges on the southwestern edge of the South Mountain Park to break large rock into smaller, more manageable pieces as crews create a path for the freeway.

Periodic traffic restrictions are anticipated on 51st Avenue, Dusty Lane and Ivanhoe Street during Center segment construction.

South-Mountain-Freeway-Under-Construction-Sign
The largest single highway project in Arizona history, the South Mountain Freeway has been divided into four construction segments:

  • I-10 Papago: between the I-10 Papago Freeway interchange at 59th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road
  • Salt River:  from Lower Buckeye Road to 51st Avenue near Estrella Drive
  • Center: from 51st Avenue to 32nd Lane
  • Pecos: between 32nd Lane to the I-10/Loop 202 Santan Freeway interchange along Pecos Road

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 by visiting SouthMountainFreeway.com.

Westbound I-10 exit ramp at 59th Avenue to close permanently

Westbound I-10 exit ramp at 59th Avenue to close permanently

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Westbound I-10 exit ramp at 59th Avenue to close permanently

Westbound I-10 exit ramp at 59th Avenue to close permanently

March 1, 2018

PHOENIX – The next phase of Interstate 10 ramp reconstruction for the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway will begin this weekend in the West Valley as one ramp closes permanently while another reopens.

The westbound I-10 off-ramp at 59th Avenue will close permanently at 10 p.m. Friday, March 2, as crews continue work on the new I-10/Loop 202 freeway-to-freeway interchange that will replace the I-10/59th Avenue interchange. 

As an alternative, westbound I-10 motorists should consider exiting the freeway at 67th Avenue until the 51st Avenue off-ramp reopens later this weekend.

As part of this work, westbound I-10 will be narrowed to three lanes overnight between 43rd and 59th avenues from 10 p.m. Friday, March 2, to 10 a.m. Saturday, March 3, to allow crews to remove barrier and replace signage.

Beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 3, the westbound I-10 off-ramp at 51st Avenue will reopen following a five-week closure that allowed crews to widen, realign and repave the ramp.

This is one of several I-10 ramps that 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 late 2019.

The I-10 eastbound off-ramp at 67th Avenue (scheduled to reopen April 2) and I-10 eastbound on-ramp at 51st Avenue (scheduled to reopen March 17) remain closed.

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

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 the ADOT Traveler Information Center at az511.gov or call 511.