Subject: Weekend Closures & Restrictions on Valley Freeways Weekend of October 17 - 20 Date: Thursday, October 16, 2008 9:07 PM Weekend Closures & Restrictions on Valley Freeways Weekend of October 17 - 20 Installation of DPS speed cameras requires restrictions on I-10, Loop 101 Several projects to add new lanes and make other improvements along Phoenix area freeways will require closures or lane restrictions this weekend (October 17-20). The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) recommends drivers use alternate routes and allow extra travel time. The Arizona Department of Public Safety has recently begun a project to install speed-enforcement cameras on freeways around metro Phoenix. While the Arizona Department of Transportation does not operate this program, ADOT is working with DPS to create safe work zones while crews install the cameras. To facilitate the safe work zones, occasional restrictions and closures may be necessary to install the camera hardware on freeway shoulders, and to embed loop detectors into the freeway pavement. ADOT will make every effort to keep the public informed when these installation activities affect freeway traffic. The following closures and restrictions are for freeway construction work: * Southbound State Route 51 (Piestewa Freeway) closed between Loop 101 and Bell Road from 1 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (October 18) to remove overhead concrete conveyer bridge. Southbound SR 51 on-ramp at Union Hills Drive closed. DETOUR: Drivers who normally use Loop 101 ramps to southbound SR 51 can use either Cave Creek Road or Tatum Boulevard south to Bell Road to connect with SR 51. * Northbound I-17 ramps to Loop 101 (both directions) closed from 10 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday (October 19) for bridge work. DETOUR: Traffic will exit at Yorkshire Drive and use 19th or 27th avenues to access Loop 101. * Southbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) narrowed to one lane between Via De Ventura and Loop 202 from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (October 20) for rubberized asphalt paving along new HOV lane. DETOUR: Be prepared to slow down and merge safely in the work zone. * Northbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) narrowed to one lane between Cactus Road and Raintree Drive from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 p.m. Sunday (October 19) to restripe lanes. DETOUR: Be prepared to slow down and merge safely in the work zone. The following closures are for camera installation this weekend: * Eastbound Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) closed between 75th Avenue and I-17 from 9 p.m. Friday to 4 p.m. Saturday (October 18). DETOUR: All traffic will be detoured along the Beardsley Road frontage road. * Southbound Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) closed between Olive Avenue and I-10 from 9 p.m. Saturday to 4 p.m. Sunday (October 19). DETOUR: Drivers can use either 91st or 99th avenues south to I-10. * Eastbound I-10 closed between Palo Verde Road and Watson Road from 9 p.m. Friday to noon Saturday (Oct. 18). Ramp from northbound State Route 85 to eastbound I-10 also closed. DETOUR: Eastbound I-10 traffic will detour south on Palo Verde Road, east on Southern Avenue and north on Watson Road to return to 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.