Traffic shift to close I-10 section this weekend, freeway ramps affected by work

Drivers should make plans before the weekend if they need to travel west on Interstate 10 between US 60 and Interstate 17 as crews will be working on a traffic shift in the area.

The work will begin at 10 p.m. Friday, July 19, and be completed at 4 a.m. Monday, July 22, state transportation officials said.

At the same time, the following will be closed:

• The ramps from westbound US 60 to westbound I-10.
• The southbound State Route 143 ramp to westbound I-10.

And these ramps will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday:

• The westbound I-10 on-ramps at Elliot, Baseline and Broadway roads and 40th and 32nd streets.
• The westbound US 60 on-ramps at McClintock Drive, Rural Road and Mill Avenue.

Detour : Use eastbound Loop 202 or US 60 to northbound Loop 101 to westbound Loop 202 to access westbound I-10 beyond the closure.

Drivers heading to the West Valley can bypass the closure by using Loop 202 west and north to connect with I-10 at 59th Avenue, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Drivers traveling west on I-10 and US 60 heading to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport should use northbound Loop 101  to westbound Loop 202 and use the Sky Harbor Boulevard entrance, ADOT officials said. Drivers traveling on southbound I-17 should use westbound I-10 to access the airport entrance at Buckeye Road.

When I-10 reopens, drivers can expect a new lane configuration.

The existing lanes between 32nd and 24th streets will be split. There will be a roadway barrier and a work zone with three lanes on each side, according to an ADOT release. Drivers wanting to exit onto I-17 are encouraged to move into the right three lanes before 32nd Street.

Drivers also should be aware the westbound US 60 HOV ramp to westbound I-10, which closed July 12, will remain closed through 4 a.m. Monday for bridge work. As a detour, motorists can use the westbound US 60 ramp to westbound I-10.

Weekend work also will involve closing the eastbound I-10 HOV ramp to eastbound US 60 from 10 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday, July 29, for bridge work. The eastbound I-10 ramp to eastbound US 60 is ADOT’s suggested detour.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org .