Motorists in the Phoenix valley should expect significant detours this weekend as the city’s transportation department carries out a series of pavement‑improvement and widening projects on several major freeways. All work is scheduled to begin Friday night and continue through early Monday morning, so drivers are urged to plan extra travel time or choose alternate routes.
Central Phoenix – State Route 51
Southbound SR 51 will be closed between Northern Avenue and Highland Avenue from 9 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday. In addition, the southbound on‑ramps at 32nd Street and Bethany Home Road will be shut down. The department recommends using 16th Street to reach Highland Avenue or traveling on Indian School Road to reconnect with SR 51.
West Valley – Interstate 10
I‑10 westbound will be closed between Loop 303 and Verrado Way for a widening project during the same Friday‑to‑Monday window. Westbound on‑ramps from Loop 303 to Jackrabbit Trail will also be unavailable. Drivers can detour via Yuma Road to re‑enter I‑10.
North Valley – Loop 303
Loop 303 eastbound will be blocked between 43rd Avenue and I‑17 for a bridge project, beginning at 10 p.m. Friday and ending at 5 a.m. Monday. Motorists should use 43rd Avenue to reach Dove Valley Road and then I‑17. Westbound traffic on Loop 303 will be reduced to a single lane between I‑17 and 43rd Avenue.
East Valley – Loop 202 (Santan and Red Mountain Freeways)
The Santan Freeway portion of Loop 202 westbound will close between Williams Field Road and Gilbert Road for widening work from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. All westbound on‑ramps from Higley Road to Lindsay Road will also be closed. Drivers can bypass the closure by using Williams Field Road to Gilbert Road or Higley Road to Germann Road.
On Saturday, the Red Mountain Freeway eastbound segment of Loop 202 will shut down between SR 143 and Loop 101 from 2 a.m. to 6 p.m. Travelers can reroute via SR 143, I‑10, U.S. 60 and Loop 101. The westbound side of the same freeway will be closed between Loop 101 and Van Buren Street on Sunday, 2 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a suggested detour using Loop 101, U.S. 60, I‑10 and SR 143.
North‑central – Interstate 17
I‑17 northbound will be narrowed to two lanes between Loop 101 and Pinnacle Peak Road for a pavement‑improvement project from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Both eastbound and westbound ramps at Loop 101 will be closed. Drivers are advised to take 19th or 35th Avenue north to connect with Pinnacle Peak Road, or travel south on Union Hills Drive.
Maricopa County – State Route 347
SR 347 northbound will be limited to a single lane between the City of Maricopa and Casa Blanca Road from 8 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Saturday as part of an improvement effort.
Helpful resources
For a complete map of all closures and recommended detours, click the link provided by the Arizona Department of Transportation. Residents are encouraged to stay updated through local news outlets and traffic‑monitoring apps throughout the weekend.
By planning ahead and using the suggested alternate routes, drivers can minimize delays and keep the Phoenix valley moving safely while essential infrastructure upgrades are completed.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
