Subject: Weekend Closures & Restrictions on Valley Freeways Weekend of August 1 ~ 4 Date: Thursday, July 31, 2008 7:13 PM Weekend Closures & Restrictions on Valley Freeways Weekend of August 1 ~ 4 Several improvement projects to add lanes and improve access along Valley freeways will require restrictions in the Phoenix area this weekend (August 1-4). The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) recommends drivers allow for extra travel time while the following restrictions are in place: * Northbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway) closed between Baseline Road and Rio Salado Parkway from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (August 4) to establish a construction zone for the carpool lane project. Northbound ramps from US 60 (Superstition Freeway) also closed. DETOUR: Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes. Drivers who use northbound Loop 101 will exit at Baseline Road, use the frontage road to Rio Salado Parkway and then re-enter the freeway. Project benefit: ADOT is constructing 10 miles of carpool lanes along Loop 101 from Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) to Loop 202 (Santan Freeway). Once finished in fall 2009, the project will complete 38 miles of continuous Loop 101 carpool lanes between State Route 51 and Loop 202 (Santan Freeway). * Eastbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) narrowed between Priest Drive and Mill Avenue from 11:30 p.m. Friday to 9 p.m. Sunday (August 3) for construction on the Mill Avenue Bridge. The eastbound on-ramp at Center Parkway will be closed. DETOUR: Please slow down and be prepared to merge safely in the work zone. Project benefit: The Red Mountain Freeway overpass widening project precedes the future widening of Loop 202 from State Route 51 (Piestewa Freeway) to Loop 101 (Pima Freeway). The widening project will add westbound lanes from Loop 101 to Scottsdale Road and eastbound lanes from SR 51 to Loop 101. * Eastbound I-10 closed between Seventh Avenue and Seventh Street from 11 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday (August 3) for Deck Park Tunnel maintenance. DETOUR: Eastbound I-10 traffic will detour on McDowell Road. Drivers encouraged to use I-17 Durango Curve route to I-10. Project benefit: ADOT regularly cleans and maintains the Deck Park Tunnel to ensure a safe ride for the traveling public. * Northbound State Route 51 (Piestewa Freeway) left lane closed between 32nd Street and Thunderbird Road from 2 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday (August 2) for removal of barrier wall. Southbound State Route 51 left lane closed between Thunderbird Road and Shea Boulevard from 11 p.m. Saturday to 11 a.m. Sunday (August 3). DETOUR: Please slow down and be prepared to merge safely in the work zone. Project benefit: ADOT is constructing eight miles of carpool lanes that begin at Shea Boulevard on State Route 51 and run to Tatum Boulevard on Loop 101. The project is expected to be complete near the end of this year. * Westbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) ramp to southbound State Route 51 (Piestewa Freeway) closed from 10 p.m. Friday to 1 p.m. Saturday (August 2) for bridge construction for the ongoing carpool lane project. DETOUR: Drivers should use southbound Tatum Boulevard or other local streets to access southbound SR 51. * Westbound I-10 off-ramp closed at Broadway Road from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (August 2) for asphalt paving along the right shoulder. DETOUR: Drivers should use other I-10 exits in the area. Project benefit: ADOT regularly maintains all freeways and highways to ensure a continued safe ride for the traveling public. * Eastbound I-10 narrowed to one lane between Litchfield and Dysart roads from 10 p.m. Sunday to 4 a.m. Monday (August 4) for work on the interchanges. DETOUR: Please slow down and be prepared to merge safely in the work zone. Project benefit: ADOT is adding one carpool lane and one general purpose lane in both directions from Loop 101 to Sarival Avenue and reconstructing several traffic interchanges to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on this West Valley freeway. 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.