Subject: Weekend Freeway Restrictions in Phoenix Area (April 18-21); Eastbound I-10 Narrowed as Drivers Head to Tucson Date: Thursday, April 17, 2008 8:41 PM Weekend Freeway Restrictions in Phoenix Area (April 18-21); Eastbound I-10 Narrowed as Drivers Head to Tucson Several improvement projects will require freeway restrictions in the Phoenix area this weekend (April 18-21). The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) recommends drivers allow for extra travel time while the following restrictions are in place: * Eastbound Interstate 10 (toward Tucson) narrowed to one lane between Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) and Wild Horse Pass in the Chandler area from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (April 21) for rubberized asphalt paving. Loop 202 ramps to eastbound I-10 closed. Eastbound I-10 on and off ramps at Wild Horse Pass closed from 9 p.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Monday (April 21). DETOUR: Drivers encouraged to allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes. Drivers who want to reach Wild Horse Pass can use eastbound Chandler Boulevard, southbound 56th Street and Sundust Road as an alternate route. * Westbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) closed at Val Vista Drive from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (April 19) for pavement repairs. DETOUR: Traffic will detour along the off and on ramps at Val Vista Drive. Drivers encouraged to use alternate routes, including McKellips Road. * Eastbound Interstate 10 closed between Seventh Avenue and Seventh Street from 11 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday (April 20) for tunnel maintenance. Eastbound I-10 on ramps at 19th and 7th avenues closed. DETOUR: Use southbound I-17 starting at the Stack interchange near 27th Avenue and reconnect with I-10 near Sky Harbor Airport. Drivers who stay on I-10 will exit at Seventh Avenue and use local streets before returning to I-10 at Seventh Street. * Southbound Interstate 17 closed at Pinnacle Peak Road from 10 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday (April 20) for freeway widening. Southbound I-17 on ramp at Deer Valley Road closed for approximately one year starting at 10 p.m. Saturday (April 19). DETOUR: Southbound I-17 traffic will detour along frontage road. Drivers encouraged to allow extra travel time and be prepared to slow down approaching overnight work zone. * Northbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) right lane closed between Cactus Road and Raintree Drive from 2 a.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Monday (April 21) for work on a new merge lane. The northbound Loop 101 on ramp at Cactus Road and off ramp at Raintree Drive will be closed. DETOUR: Drivers urged to use caution and merge safely approaching the work zone. * Southbound State Route 143 (Hohokam Expressway) closed between Van Buren Street and University Drive from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (April 21) for bridge work. DETOUR: Drivers encouraged to use alternate routes on surface streets. * Interstate 17 intermittent closures of approximately 15 minutes in both directions between the Carefree Highway (State Route 74) and Dixileta Drive from 5 a.m. to noon Saturday (April 19) for freeway widening. DETOUR: Drivers encouraged to plan on extra travel time and slow down when approaching the work zone. * Westbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) right lane closed between Scottsdale Road and 56th Street from 1 a.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday (April 20) for bridge work. Westbound Loop 101 off-ramp at 56th Street also closed. DETOUR: Slow down and merge safely in work zone. * Southbound State Route 87 narrowed to one lane south of Bush Highway/Saguaro Lake Turnoff from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for dirt haul operations. Drivers are urged to use caution in the work zone. Based on traffic flow conditions, restriction may be lifted earlier on Sunday. For a complete listing of freeway and highway closures or restrictions across Arizona visit ADOT's Travel Information site at www.az511.com or call 5-1-1.