Weekend work to affect key Valley corridors
PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation will close and restrict several major freeways across the Phoenix metro area beginning Friday night as crews conduct widening and pavement improvement projects, officials said. The closures will remain in effect through the early morning hours of Monday, with significant ramp impacts and lane reductions expected.
"Heading out for fun activities this weekend?"
The work will affect drivers across north-northwest Phoenix, the East Valley and central Phoenix. ADOT said the schedule is aimed at minimizing weekday traffic disruptions by using weekend overnight hours, but motorists planning travel should factor the closures into their routes.
Closures, ramp impacts and expected detours
ADOT outlined the following primary closures and restrictions:
- Loop 101 (Agua Fria) eastbound — Closed between 51st Avenue and Interstate 17 from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for a widening project. Several on-ramps also will be closed.
- Loop 202 (SanTan) westbound — Closed between Lindsay and McQueen roads from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for a widening project. Multiple on-ramps will be closed in the area.
- State Route 51 (Piestewa Freeway) — Southbound narrowed to two lanes between Bethany Home and Indian School roads from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for pavement improvements.
ADOT provided a list of specific ramp closures tied to those shutdowns. For the Loop 101 Agua Fria eastbound work, on-ramps at 75th Avenue, 67th Avenue and 59th Avenue will be closed, as will the eastbound Loop 101 "Texas U-Turn" on-ramp near Union Hills Drive. Drivers who normally use those on-ramps should plan alternate access to the freeway.
On the Loop 202 SanTan westbound closure, ramps at Williams Field Road, SanTan Village Parkway and Val Vista Drive will be unavailable. In addition, the northbound Loop 101 Price on-ramp to westbound Loop 202 will be closed.
For central Phoenix, the southbound lanes of SR 51 will be reduced to two lanes between Bethany Home Road and Indian School Road. ADOT also listed the southbound SR 51 on-ramp at Highland Avenue and the off-ramp at Indian School Road as closed during the work window.
Impacts beyond the Valley
Motorists traveling to or from Maricopa should also be aware of a paving-related lane reduction on State Route 347. Between Casa Blanca Road and Mammoth Way (Cement Plant Road), SR 347 will be narrowed to one lane in both directions from 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday.
| Route | Location | Work | Closure window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loop 101 (Agua Fria) | 51st Ave to I-17 | Full eastbound closure; multiple on-ramp closures | 10 p.m. Fri–5 a.m. Mon |
| Loop 202 (SanTan) | Lindsay Rd to McQueen Rd | Full westbound closure; multiple on-ramp closures | 10 p.m. Fri–5 a.m. Mon |
| SR 51 | Bethany Home Rd to Indian School Rd | Southbound narrowed to two lanes; ramp closures | 9 p.m. Fri–5 a.m. Mon |
| SR 347 | Casa Blanca Rd to Mammoth Way | Narrowed to one lane each direction (paving) | 8 p.m. Fri–5 a.m. Mon |
What drivers should do
Commuters and weekend travelers should allow extra travel time, follow posted detours and watch for changed traffic patterns, barriers and workers near the roadway. ADOT recommends using alternate routes when possible and avoiding peak arrival times for events or weekend attractions. Because ramp closures remove many typical access points, some detours may require surface-street travel to reach open freeway on-ramps.
Travelers are also encouraged to check ADOT's traveler information resources before heading out for the latest lane-status updates and electronic-message signs. Local traffic apps and Sky Harbor Airport advisories may reflect related changes for trips to and from the airport.
Weekend closures are part of a larger effort by ADOT to advance widening and pavement-improvement projects across the Valley. While the work aims to improve capacity and roadway condition, it will temporarily limit options for many drivers during scheduled closures.
Plan ahead, give yourself extra time and expect delays through the early Monday morning reopening window.
