In another critical step toward completing the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway interchange in the West Valley, a westbound closure of Interstate 10 followed by an eastbound closure will be needed for bridge construction this weekend, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Construction crews will be pouring concrete above I-10 travel lanes near 59th Avenue to create the deck of a 750-foot flyover ramp connecting to I-10.
Westbound I-10 will be closed between 51st and 67th avenues from 10 p.m. Friday, April 19, to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 20. Eastbound I-10 will then close between 67th and 51st avenues from 6 p.m. Saturday, April 20, to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 21.
Westbound I-10 traffic can use local detours, including McDowell Road, before re-entering I-10 at 67th Avenue. In addition, the westbound I-10 on-ramps at 27th, 35th and 43rd avenues will be closed to help reduce traffic backups.
Eastbound I-10 traffic exiting at 67th Avenue can use local detours, including McDowell Road, before re-entering I-10 at 51st Avenue. In addition, the eastbound I-10 on-ramps at 91st, 83rd, 79th and 75th avenues will be closed to help reduce traffic backups.
To avoid delays on I-10, motorists should consider alternate routes, including the Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) west of Interstate 17, or exiting I-10 sooner and taking local streets to re-enter past the closure points.
During the closures, crews will pump approximately 1,300 cubic yards of concrete into the steel-reinforced deck on the flyover ramp that will eventually carry westbound I-10 traffic to the South Mountain Freeway.
Once the concrete is poured, a self-propelled concrete leveling machine called a Bid-well will spread the concrete to ensure a flat surface throughout. After the concrete has had an opportunity to cure and reach maximum strength, construction vehicles can travel on the ramp.
The 22-mile South Mountain Freeway is scheduled for full completion in 2020, although traffic is expected to be using the freeway earlier. It will provide a long-planned direct link between the East Valley and West Valley and a much-needed alternative to I-10 through downtown Phoenix. Approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985 and again in 2004 as part of a comprehensive regional transportation plan, the South Mountain Freeway will complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system in the Valley.
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