Permanent closure begins Aug. 14 as I-10 reconstruction continues
The Interstate 10 interchange at Palo Verde Road in Tucson will close permanently at 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, the Arizona Department of Transportation announced, as crews move forward on one of the largest highway projects in the region. The closure follows demolition work on bridges at Palo Verde and Irvington roads and is part of ADOT’s $600 million I-10 Kino to Country Club reconstruction.
The multi-year project, which began in June 2025, covers roughly 3 miles of freeway southeast of downtown Tucson. When complete, I-10 between milepost 262, east of Park Avenue, and Alvernon Way will have three general-purpose lanes in each direction and several rebuilt interchanges intended to improve safety and traffic flow.
ADOT has described the work as "one of the largest highway construction projects in Southern Arizona history."
What is changing for Tucson drivers
The permanent closure will remove the direct I-10 on- and off-ramps at Palo Verde Road. ADOT says a replacement interchange at Country Club Road is nearing completion and is expected to open this fall to absorb the traffic that previously used Palo Verde.
- Closure time: 9 p.m., Friday, Aug. 14
- Project cost: $600 million
- Project limits: About 3 miles from east of Park Avenue (milepost 262) to Alvernon Way
- Expected completion: Summer 2028
Planned improvements and traffic implications
The broader scope of the Kino to Country Club project includes rebuilding the Kino Parkway interchange, constructing the new Country Club Road interchange, adding a westbound I-10 entrance ramp from Alvernon Way and building an undercrossing to connect the North and South Kino Sports Complexes. ADOT says the changes aim to relieve congestion, modernize aging interchanges and improve safety along the busy corridor.
For motorists, the most immediate effect will be altered access points to the freeway. Drivers who normally use Palo Verde Road to enter or exit I-10 will need to plan alternate routes, especially during peak travel hours. ADOT recommends consulting Arizona 511 for current traffic conditions and detour guidance.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project cost | $600 million |
| Length | ~3 miles |
| New lanes | Three general-purpose lanes each direction (when complete) |
| Start | June 2025 |
| Expected completion | Summer 2028 |
Local context and next steps
The closure underscores ongoing changes along I-10 that will reshape travel through southeast Tucson for years to come. The new Country Club interchange is positioned to replace Palo Verde as a primary access point to the freeway in this area; ADOT’s timeline calls for that interchange to open this fall. Until then, drivers should expect changes in traffic patterns, temporary detours and potential delays in adjacent neighborhoods.
Residents who regularly use Palo Verde Road — including commuters, delivery drivers and school routes — should review route alternatives and allow extra travel time. Businesses near the interchange may also see shifts in customer traffic while construction continues. ADOT will continue to post updates and traffic advisories on Arizona 511 and through its project communications.
As reconstruction progresses toward its 2028 target, the work is expected to deliver long-term benefits such as additional capacity, rebuilt interchanges and improved connections to local roads and the Kino Sports Complex. In the short term, drivers and local officials will be monitoring the Country Club interchange opening and the impacts of the Palo Verde closure on neighborhood streets and traffic flow.
