Subject: Weekend Freeway Restrictions in Phoenix Area (May 16-19). Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008 7:00 PM Weekend Freeway Restrictions in Phoenix Area (May 16-19). Loop 101, I-17 in North Valley to require extra travel time Several improvement projects to add lanes and improve access along Valley freeways will require restrictions in the Phoenix area this weekend (May 16-19). The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) recommends drivers allow for extra travel time while the following restrictions are in place: * Eastbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) closed between Cave Creek Road and Tatum Boulevard from 2 a.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Monday (May 19) for carpool lane construction. Eastbound Loop 101 ramp to southbound State Route 51 closed. Westbound Loop 101 left lane closed between Tatum Boulevard and 32nd Street. Northbound SR 51 on-ramps at Union Hills Drive and Bell Road closed. Northbound SR 51 ramp to eastbound Loop 101 also closed. DETOUR: Eastbound Loop 101 drivers should use southbound Seventh Street or Cave Creek Road to eastbound Union Hills Drive or Bell Road. Project benefit: Eight miles of carpool lanes are being constructed from Shea Boulevard on State Route 51 to Tatum Boulevard on Loop 101 as part of the Regional Transportation Plan. The project will be complete late this year. * Loop 101 (Price Freeway) closed in both directions between University Drive and Broadway Road from 11 p.m. Friday to noon Sunday (May 18) for light rail project. Loop 202 ramps to southbound Loop 101 and US 60 ramps to northbound Loop 101 closed. DETOUR: Loop 101 traffic will be detoured along frontage roads in both directions. Loop 202 and US 60 drivers should use alternate routes around ramp closures. Project benefit: The Metro light rail project is part of a multi-modal transportation system that gives residents more options in their daily commutes. * Southbound I-17 narrowed to one lane between Yorkshire Drive and Union Hills Drive from 10 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday (May 18) for freeway widening. Both Loop 101 ramps to southbound I-17 closed. Once the ramps are reopened on Sunday, they will be restricted to one lane until early 2009. DETOUR: Drivers should use southbound 19th or 35th avenues to Union Hills Drive to access southbound I-17. * Southbound I-17 on-ramp south of Yorkshire Drive permanently closed starting at 9 p.m. on Saturday (May 17) for major expansion project along I-17. DETOUR: Drivers should continue on the southbound frontage road to enter the freeway at Union Hills Drive. Project benefit: ADOT is adding new lanes and interchanges along I-17 from Loop 101 to the Carefree Highway (State Route 74) to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. The project will be complete in 2009. * I-17 closed intermittently in both directions between Rose Garden Lane and Deer Valley Road from 4 a.m. to noon Sunday (May 18) for freeway widening and installation of APS overhead power lines. DETOUR: Drivers should expect 15-minute closures during the work and are encouraged to allow extra travel time. * Northbound I-17 narrowed to one lane between Dixileta Drive and Carefree Highway (State Route 74) from 9 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday (May 17) and from 9 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday (May 18) for freeway widening project. Northbound I-17 also narrowed to one lane in this area from 9 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday (May 19). DETOUR: Drivers encouraged to allow extra travel time and merge safely in the construction zone. * Northbound State Route 143 (Hohokam Expressway) closed between I-10 and McDowell Road from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (May 19) for bridge maintenance. DETOUR: For access to Sky Harbor Airport, use I-10 to Buckeye Road. Drivers can also use local streets for alternate routes. Project benefit: ADOT regularly maintains freeways and bridges to ensure continued safety and to maximize a smooth ride for drivers. 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.