Avoid weekend traffic: Freeway closures in metro Phoenix for May 16-17
Expected closures include major portions of Loop 101 in Glendale, Loop 202 in Chandler and both sides of Interstate 10 through the heart of Phoenix. Several on- and off-ramps connected to the closures would also be impacted.
The Arizona Department of Transportation recommended drivers allow for extra travel time throughout the weekend. Here's what you need to know about the freeway closures and the detours to follow.
The eastbound lanes of the Loop 101 between 59th Avenue and Interstate 17 would be closed starting at 10 p.m. on May 16 until 5 a.m. on May 19 for crews removing signs as part of a freeway widening project.
The eastbound Loop 101 on-ramps at Union Hills Drive, 75th and 67th avenues would also be closed as a result of the work on the freeway.
Detours: ADOT suggested eastbound drivers exit the Loop 101 ahead of the closure and use local streets such as Union Hills Drive or Bell Road to access the freeway beyond the closure.
Drivers should be ready for the closure of the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10, between Interstate 17 and State Route 51, starting at 9 p.m. on May 16 until 9 a.m. on May 17.
The closure would allow crews to attend to planned tunnel maintenance.
Detour: ADOT recommended drivers headed eastbound on I-10 reroute themselves to southbound I-17 and reconnect to the I-10 near Sky Harbor Airport.
The westbound I-10 would be closed between I-17 and 7th Avenue, starting 9 p.m. on May 17 until 9 a.m. on May 18, also for tunnel maintenance.
Ramps impacted by the closure included the southbound SR 51 ramp to westbound I-10 and the southbound I-17 ramp to westbound I-10.
The westbound Loop 202 ramp to westbound I-10 would remain open, but traffic must exit at 7th Street.
Detour: ADOT suggested drivers headed west on the I-10 reroute to the northbound I-17 near Sky Harbor Airport and reenter the I-10 at the I-17 interchange north of Van Buren Street.
Both directions of Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard would be closed at the Loop 101 from 10 p.m. on May 16 until 2 p.m. on May 17 for crews working on the freeway bridge.
Detour: ADOT suggested drivers reroute using the north- or southbound Loop 101 frontage roads, turning at Raintree Drive or Bell Road.
The southbound State Route 143 ramps to eastbound I-10 would be closed from 10 p.m. on May 16 until 4 a.m. on May 19 for bridge work as part of the Broadway Curve Improvement Project.
Detour: ADOT recommended drivers head south on 48th Street to eastbound Baseline Road to enter the eastbound I-10.
In addition, the eastbound I-10 on-ramp at Broadway Road would be closed, and the westbound I-10 lanes between Broadway Road and SR 143 would be closed from 10 p.m. on May 17 until 6 a.m. on May 18.
Arizona Avenue would be closed in both directions at the Loop 202 starting at 1 a.m. on May 17 until 5 a.m. on May 19 for bridge work that's part of freeway widening.
The westbound Loop 202 on-ramp at Gilbert Road would be closed from 10 p.m. May 16 until 5 p.m. May 18, and the westbound Loop 202 off-ramp at Arizona Avenue would be closed from 10 p.m. May 16 to 3 p.m. May 17.
Detour: ADOT said drivers should use Alma School Road as an alternate route and plan to use another nearby ramp.
The Bell Road off-ramp on the southbound I-17 would be closed from 9 p.m. on May 16 until 5 a.m. on May 19 for wall repairs.
In addition, the north and southbound SR 51 off-ramps at Bethany Home Road would be closed from 9 p.m. on May 16 to 5 a.m. on May 19 for maintenance.
Detour: For Bell Road, ADOT said drivers should exit southbound I-17 at Greenway Road. For Bethany Home Road, ADOT suggested drivers detour by exiting SR 51 at Glendale Avenue.
Reach reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@gannett.com. Follow him on X, Threads and Bluesky @ReyCJrAZ.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Here's a look at weekend freeway closures throughout the Phoenix area
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