Subject: METRO traffic restrictions update - Weekend freeway restrictions in the Phoenix area (Aug 11 - 14) Date: Friday, August 11, 2006 8:51 AM Weekend freeway restrictions in the Phoenix area (Aug 11 - 14) August 10, 2006 Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes this weekend (Aug. 11-14) while the following freeway restrictions are in place in the Phoenix area: Northbound I-17 narrowed to one lane (right 2 lanes closed) between 16th Street and 7th Avenue from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (Aug. 14) for screen wall construction project. This stretch of I-17 reopened to two lanes for two hours prior to the Diamondbacks-Marlins games on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. To avoid traffic delays, drivers also are encouraged to use the westbound I-10 "Inner Loop" starting near Sky Harbor Airport as an alternate route this weekend. Drivers who use the westbound I-10 alternate route can reconnect with I-17 at the Stack interchange west of 19th Avenue. The northbound I-17 on ramp at 7th Street and off ramp at 7th Avenue are now closed until late September as part of this screen wall project. Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) closed in both directions between Higley and Power roads in northeast Mesa from 10:30 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 10) to 5 a.m. Monday (Aug. 14) for production of the movie "The Kingdom." Traffic will be able to exit and enter Loop 202 at Higley Road. Drivers can use McDowell or Thomas roads as an east-west alternate route this weekend. Eastbound Loop 202 drivers can exit ahead of Higley Road to avoid traffic at the Higley interchange. Westbound US 60 (Superstition Freeway) narrowed to one lane between Sossaman and Power roads from 8:30 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 12) for barrier wall placement and lane striping. Northbound Loop 202 ramp to westbound US 60 also closed. Eastbound US 60 narrowed to one lane between Power and Sossaman roads from 8:30 p.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Monday (Aug. 14). On and off ramps at Power and Sossaman closed as needed during the weekend. Drivers are asked to give themselves extra travel time and use alternate routes if possible. Greenfield Road closed in both directions at US 60 (Superstition Freeway) from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (Aug. 14) for removal of construction supports (falsework). All ramps at the US 60/Greenfield interchange will be open with only right turns allowed. Drivers should consider using adjacent interchanges at Val Vista Drive or Higley Road. _____ METRO traffic restrictions update - August 10, 2006 Phoenix, Ariz. - The METRO light rail system will be under construction through December 2008, when it will begin carrying passengers. Construction crews are working hard to minimize impacts on traffic. When completed, the METRO light rail line will cover 20 miles through the cities of Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. All restrictions and dates are tentative and are subject to change. For more information visit the METRO Web site at www.valleymetro.org/rail and click on the construction icon. PHOENIX LINE SECTION 1 Upcoming Restrictions 7th Avenue at Camelback Road SRP irrigation lines One lane southbound; no right turns onto Camelback from southbound 7th Avenue August 13 thru late August 17th Ave. at Camelback Road SRP irrigation lines South and northbound traffic on 17th Avenue is closed; thru traffic east and westbound on Camelback Road August 28 thru early September Ongoing Restrictions Camelback Road between 19th & Central avenues Waterline installation and SW Gas Lane restrictions will move as work progresses Thru mid October 7th Avenue & Camelback Road Utility work One lane open in each direction No end date set yet 19th Avenue from Camelback Road to Montebello Avenue Waterline installation One lane open in each direction Thru November 2006 LINE SECTION 2 Ongoing restrictions Catalina Street from Central to Third avenues METRO contractor work Street closed Thru end of August Central Ave. from Encanto Street to McDowell Road Storm drain work One lane open southbound; two lanes northbound Thru November 2006 Mariposa Street at Central Avenue Station Foundation Street closed; turning into cul-de-sac No end date set yet Central Avenue from Camelback to Thomas roads Light rail work One lane open in each direction. Side streets subject to alternating closures Thru November 2006 LINE SECTION 3 Upcoming restrictions First Street at Washington Street Track installation North half of Washington Street will be closed at First Street August 21 thru mid September First Avenue at Jefferson Street Track installation Intersection closed; restriction allows left turns onto Jefferson Street from First Avenue; right turns onto First Avenue from Jefferson Street Third Street at Jefferson Street Track Installation South half of Jefferson will be closed at Third Street August 31 thru early September Ongoing restrictions Polk Street at Central Avenue Guideway construction Polk closed Thru end of August Central Avenue at Washington Street Track installation Northbound traffic on Central Avenue closed; westbound traffic on Washington Street open End of August Central Avenue between Adams and Washington Streets Track installation Street closed Thru mid August Central Avenue at Adams Street Track installation No WB turns onto Adams from Central Ave. Local traffic only between 1st Avenue and Central Avenue Thru late August PHOENIX / TEMPE LINE SECTION 4 Ongoing Restrictions Washington Street at SR 143 Eastbound traffic cannot go north on SR 143; westbound traffic cannot go south on SR 143 End date not yet set SR 143 at Washington Street Southbound exit ramp at Washington closed eastbound. Northbound exit ramp at Washington closed to westbound right of way. End date not yet set. Washington Street from Center Parkway to 32nd Street Guideway construction; intersections replacement One lane in each direction End date not yet set TEMPE / MESA LINE SECTION 5 On going restrictions Fifth Street at College Avenue METRO contractor work Intersection closed July 31 to Aug 15 Veterans Way between College Ave and University Drive Light rail work Road closed Thru Aug 15 Rural Rd between University Drive and Terrace Road Utility relocation One lane each direction Thru Aug 25 Apache Boulevard from Tempe Canal Bridge to Loop 101 Utility relocation One lane each direction End Nov 30 Apache between Terrace & McClintock Rail work & utility relocation One lane each direction Ends Aug 14 University Drive at Loop 101 Light rail work Entrance to SB Loop 101 at University is closed Thru Spring 2007 Main St in Mesa, between Roosevelt and Dobson Rd. Utility relocation One lane eastbound Thru Aug 18 _____