Five Phoenix-area freeways set for weekend construction closures

Phoenix-area drivers face a slate of construction-related closures and restrictions this weekend, with the Arizona Department of Transportation scheduling work on five freeways and one state route from Sept. 11-14. The affected corridors include Loop 101, Loop 202, Loop 303, State Route 51 and State Route 347, creating delays for commuters, weekend travelers and motorists crossing the Valley.

ADOT said the biggest impacts begin Friday night and continue through early Monday morning, Sept. 14, with multiple full closures and ramp shutdowns in both the West and East Valley. Drivers are being urged to allow extra travel time and use detours where possible as crews work on widening, paving, bridge construction and pavement rehabilitation projects.

The weekend restrictions are part of ADOT’s broader effort to expand and maintain Phoenix-area highways. The agency regularly schedules major construction during weekends to reduce weekday disruption, while still advancing long-term improvement projects funded in part by Maricopa County transportation tax measures, including Proposition 400 and Proposition 479.

Closures span the West Valley, central Phoenix and the East Valley

In the West Valley, northbound Loop 101 will be closed between Interstate 10 and Indian School Road from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, with east- and westbound I-10 ramps to northbound Loop 101 also shut. Westbound Loop 101 will be closed between 51st and 75th avenues from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, and north- and southbound I-17 ramps to westbound Loop 101 will be closed early Saturday through Monday morning. ADOT said motorists can use nearby surface streets and reconnect to the freeway north of the closures.

In central Phoenix, northbound State Route 51 will be closed from Indian School Road to Colter Street from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for pavement rehabilitation. Northbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) will be closed between University Drive and McKellips Road over the same period for pavement maintenance, along with ramps at Southern Avenue and Broadway Road. A westbound Loop 202 ramp to southbound Loop 101 will also be closed during the weekend.

On the East Valley side, westbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) will be closed between Cooper and Alma School roads from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, with several on-ramps closed as well. ADOT also plans a westbound Loop 303 closure at 43rd Avenue for bridge construction, and State Route 347 will be narrowed to one lane in both directions between Casa Blanca Road and Mammoth Way north of Maricopa for paving work.

ADOT said detours vary by closure, but all motorists should expect slower traffic near work zones and plan ahead before heading out. Real-time freeway conditions are available through Arizona Traveler Information and the az511 app.