With a goal of opening HOV lanes on State Route 51 between Shea Boulevard & Loop 101 by late fall, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) says crews will be busy in the coming weeks to complete a major project milestone.
The work will require a temporary ramp closure & other restrictions & will culminate with pouring concrete for ramps to serve the HOV lanes.
The upcoming phase of work will begin Tuesday (July 29th). Closures & restrictions include:
Closing the ramp from northbound SR 51 (Piestewa Freeway) to eastbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) from 10 pm Tuesday to 2 am Wednesday (July 30th) to allow a crew to move paving equipment to the ramp.
Closing the ramp from westbound Loop 101 to southbound SR 51 from 10 pm Friday (Aug. 1st) until 1 pm Saturday (Aug. 2nd) so a crew can pour the concrete surface on the bridge just north of the Central Arizona Project canal. During this period, northbound SR 51 lanes will narrow slightly to ensure a safe construction zone for motorists & workers. To access southbound SR 51 from Loop 101, drivers should use southbound Tatum Boulevard or other local streets.
Closing the northbound left lane of SR 51 from Shea Boulevard to Thunderbird Road from 3 am to 6 pm Saturday (Aug. 2nd) while a crew removes temporary concrete barriers.
Closing the southbound left lane between Thunderbird Road & Shea Boulevard from 10 pm Saturday (Aug. 2nd) to noon Sunday (Aug. 3rd) for barrier removal.
Once completed, the HOV lanes will enhance traffic flow & provide buses & carpool vehicles with a dedicated lane.
This project is a part of the Regional Transportation Plan approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004 to expand freeways & make other transportation improvement. Additional information on the plan is available at azdot.gov/ValleyFreeways. Information about freeway & highway restrictions is available at az511.gov.