Weekend Freeway Travel Alert: What to Expect from Feb. 28 to March 3

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has announced a series of closures affecting Valley freeways this weekend, from February 28 to March 3, as part of essential enhancement projects. Drivers are urged to allow extra travel time and utilize designated detour routes during this period.

Southbound I-17 will be closed between State Route 74/Carefree Highway and Loop 303 in north Phoenix, commencing at 10 p.m. on Friday and reopening at 5 a.m. on Monday. This closure is part of a pavement improvement project. Additionally, the southbound I-17 on-ramps at SR 74 and Dove Valley Road will also be affected. Travelers are encouraged to adjust their schedules as traffic tends to be lighter during early morning or late-night hours.

The recommended detour for southbound I-17 involves using SR 74 to southbound Lake Pleasant Parkway, then eastbound Loop 303 back to I-17. Drivers should avoid using nearby residential streets, as they are not suitable for heavy traffic. Local traffic will face some closures as well.

Northbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) will also see closures this weekend. It will be shut down between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road, effective from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday due to bridge construction associated with a widening project. The northbound Loop 101 on-ramps at Via de Ventura and 90th Street will also be unavailable, prompting drivers to consider alternate routes.

To detour around this closure, traffic exiting at Shea Boulevard can head west to northbound Scottsdale Road, which leads back to Loop 101 north of Bell Road.

Eastbound Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) will also be closed between 35th Avenue and I-17, beginning Friday at 10 p.m. and concluding at 5 a.m. Monday. This closure is related to the removal of a sign structure as part of the ongoing widening efforts. Travelers can utilize 35th Avenue to access cross streets connecting with I-17. Notably, the I-17 ramps to eastbound Loop 101 will remain open during this period.

Additionally, northbound SR 143 (Hohokam Expressway) will be closed from I-10 to Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) near Sky Harbor Airport from 7 p.m. Saturday through 4 a.m. Monday for pavement marking work. The northbound 48th Street will be closed between Broadway Road and I-10. Traffic on westbound I-10 can bypass this by proceeding to eastbound Loop 202 to access southbound SR 74.

For those traveling to Sky Harbor Airport, routes leading to the west entrance (via Buckeye Road) will remain open. Note that the eastbound I-10 on-ramp at Warner Road will also experience a temporary closure from 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Sunday, so the eastbound on-ramp at Ray Road should be used instead. For additional information, drivers are encouraged to visit the website I10BroadwayCurve.com.

For a complete guide on the weekend restrictions, drivers can check the Weekend Travel Advisory map graphic or access the ADOT website.