Two major freeways in central Phoenix will have ramp meters activated next week to help drivers merge safely and ease the flow of traffic during morning and evening commutes.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will activate the ramp meters in time for the morning commute on Tuesday, Aug. 5th. They are located on westbound and eastbound I-10 (Maricopa Freeway) and on northbound I-17 (Black Canyon Freeway).
The westbound I-10 ramp meters will be activated at 40th Street, 32nd Street/University Drive and Sky Harbor Boulevard during the morning commute from 6 to 9 am. The eastbound I-10 ramp meters will operate during the evening commute from 3 to 7 pm and are located at 24th Street, 32nd Street/University Drive and 40th Street. The northbound I-17 ramp meters will also regulate traffic during the evening rush hour. They are located at 16th Street, Seventh Street and Seventh Avenue.
Ramp meters are an important safety feature on Valley freeways. The meters regulate space between cars and allow drivers to merge easier onto the freeway. This prevents congestion in the right lanes, along with preventing some crashes. Drivers also experience better traffic flow when entering the freeway and while driving along the freeway.
As with any new device, there may be a period of adjustment for both the timing of the meters and the comfort of drivers. ADOT will be regularly monitoring the performance of the ramp meters, especially during the first few days of activation and will adjust the timing as needed. Drivers with comments about meter performance can call ADOT at (602) 712-7355.