Subject: Weekend Freeway Restrictions in Phoenix Area (April 25-28) Date: Friday, April 25, 2008 5:12 AM Weekend Freeway Restrictions in Phoenix Area (April 25-28); Loop 101 Closed in Both Directions in North Phoenix Several improvement projects will require freeway restrictions in the Phoenix area this weekend (April 25-28). The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) recommends drivers allow for extra travel time while the following restrictions are in place: * Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) closed in both directions between 56th Street and Scottsdale Road from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (April 28) for bridge work. Westbound Loop 101 on-ramps at Hayden Road and Scottsdale Road closed. Eastbound Loop 101 on-ramps at Tatum Boulevard and 56th Street closed. DETOUR: Traffic will use Bell Road/Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard as primary detour route. Drivers encouraged to exit ahead of closure to avoid traffic backups. * Project benefit: The 64th Street Bridge construction is part of the Regional Transportation Plan that includes construction of carpool lanes along this section of Loop 101. * Northbound Interstate 17 closed between Rose Garden Lane and Pinnacle Peak Road from 10 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday (April 27) for freeway widening. Loop 101 ramps to northbound I-17 also closed. Northbound I-17 on-ramps at Union Hills Drive, Yorkshire Drive and Deer Valley Road closed. DETOUR: Drivers can use northbound 19th Avenue or 35th Avenue to Pinnacle Peak Road. * Project benefit: ADOT is adding one general purpose lane and one carpool lane in both directions along this section of I-17 to improve traffic flow. The project will be complete in 2009. * Westbound Interstate 10 closed between Seventh Street and Seventh Avenue from 11 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday (April 27) for tunnel maintenance. Westbound Loop 202 and southbound State Route 51 ramps to westbound I-10 also closed. Westbound I-10 on-ramps at 7th and 16th streets closed. DETOUR: Westbound I-10 drivers can use northbound I-17 starting at the “Split” near Sky Harbor Airport. Local traffic will detour on McDowell Road. * Eastbound Interstate 10 narrowed to one lane between Sarival Avenue and Litchfield Road from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday (April 26) for freeway widening. Westbound Interstate 10 narrowed to one lane between Avondale Boulevard and Dysart Road from 11 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday (April 27) for freeway widening. Drivers urged to slow down and merge safely in work zones. Project benefit: ADOT is adding one general purpose lane and one carpool lane in both directions along this section of I-10 to reduce traffic congestion. * Northbound State Route 143 closed between University Drive and Van Buren Street from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (April 28) for bridge work. DETOUR: Traffic can access Sky Harbor Airport from the Buckeye Road exit on I-10 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.