Construction has started on a major rehabilitation of Irvington Road in Tucson, a project paid for through RTA Next, the voter-approved 20-year regional transportation plan. Work will rebuild and resurface the arterial between Kolb Road and Houghton Road in two distinct phases, with crews operating through the fall and into early 2027.
Project goals and schedule
Local officials said the rehabilitation is intended to fortify the corridor’s arterial and collector network, with the aim to improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and other road users while lowering long-term maintenance needs.
“help improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and other modes of transportation while also reducing long-term maintenance costs.”
Work begins with westbound lane milling and progressing lane by lane. The contractor will move sequentially from westbound lanes to middle lanes and then to eastbound lanes, finishing with a top-lift paving across all lanes and final striping. The schedule released by city officials includes multiple short windows for major paving efforts and staggered work hours throughout the project.
- Phase 1: Westbound lane milling Aug. 17–19; paving Aug. 26–27; top-lift paving Sept. 28–Oct. 1; striping Oct. 8.
- Phase 2: Begins Oct. 5 with westbound lane milling; continues through fall and winter; top-lift paving Jan. 5–8, 2027; striping Jan. 14, 2027.
- Work hours: Monday–Friday generally 5 a.m.–7 p.m. through Oct. 15; then about 7 a.m.–5 p.m., with occasional weekend work possible.
What drivers and residents should expect
The staged approach means drivers will encounter rolling lane closures and intermittent detours. During the first weeks, crews will focus on milling and paving westbound lanes, then shift to the center and eastbound lanes. Top-lift paving — the final surface overlay — will take place during designated multi-day windows in late September and early January.
City and regional transportation officials have emphasized that the sequence is designed to keep traffic moving while allowing contractors to complete full-depth repairs where needed. Commuters should plan for travel delays during the active milling and paving windows, and for potential lane restrictions and striping operations on the listed dates.
Project timeline at a glance
| Phase | Key activities | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Westbound milling, paving; top-lift paving; striping | Aug. 17–19 (milling); Aug. 26–27 (paving); Sept. 28–Oct. 1 (top-lift); Oct. 8 (striping) |
| Phase 2 | Westbound milling, continued lane work; top-lift paving; striping | Begins Oct. 5; top-lift Jan. 5–8, 2027; striping Jan. 14, 2027 |
Crews are expected to perform the bulk of work on weekdays, with more limited hours beginning Oct. 16. Occasional weekend operations are also possible during critical paving periods.
Residents and businesses along the Irvington corridor are likely to see construction equipment and temporary traffic controls for the duration of the project. Motorists who regularly use the stretch between Kolb and Houghton are advised to allow extra travel time, follow posted signs and consider alternate routes during peak construction activities.
The rehabilitation is one piece of the broader RTA Next initiative aimed at upgrading regional transportation infrastructure through projects funded by the long-term plan. City officials say investments like this one are intended to enhance safety, prolong pavement life and reduce the frequency of future repairs.
WE NEWS will provide updates as the project progresses and as the city posts notifications about lane closures and traffic impacts.
