Title
Freeway Program Update - Citywide
Description
This report provides the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning Subcommittee updates on the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) freeway program within the City of Phoenix. The report tracks major ADOT projects in Phoenix that are under construction or planned for construction.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
Report
Summary
The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Regional Transportation Plan includes numerous freeway construction projects and studies underway within the City of Phoenix. These projects are funded by the voter-approved Proposition 479 half-cent sales tax as well as by state and federal revenue sources.
City of Phoenix staff are embedded with ADOT on these major construction projects to ensure coordination of all construction activities with City departments. This report provides an overview of major freeway projects currently underway. Quarterly updates are provided to reflect project changes and new developments.
Major Freeway Projects
Loop 101: I-17 to 75th Avenue Widening
Project Overview:
The project will add one general-purpose lane in each direction along Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) from I-17 to 75th Avenue. The project includes bridge widening, new concrete pavement, diamond grinding, retaining walls, lighting, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements, drainage, Freeway Management System (FMS) upgrades, and new signing and striping.
Project Schedule:
- Construction Start: September 2024
- Construction Duration: Approximately 30 months
Key Improvements:
- One new general-purpose lane in each direction between I-17 and 75th Avenue
- Bridge widening at 51st, 35th, and 31st Avenues
- Ramp and frontage road modifications
- Third southbound left-turn lane from 75th Avenue onto eastbound Loop 101
- Improvements to the westbound Loop 101 to northbound I-17 system ramp
- New or modified noise walls as warranted
Grand 35 (US 60): 35th Avenue and Indian School Road Intersection Improvements
Project Overview:
Reconstruct the intersection of US 60 (Grand Avenue), 35th Avenue and Indian School Road by raising 35th Avenue to create a new elevated intersection with Indian School Road above Grand Avenue. The project also includes new bridges for 35th Avenue and Indian School Road over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad and Grand Avenue.
Project Schedule:
Stage III (30 percent) design - May 2025
Stage IV (60 percent) design - December 2025
Public Meeting - January 2026
Stage V (100 percent) design - October 2026
Construction - January 2027
Northbound I-17 off-ramp at Sonoran Desert Drive Widening Project
Project Overview:
The MAG Management Committee approved $2.1 million from the Freeway Life Cycle Program (FLCP) minor improvements allocation to widen the northbound exit ramp at the I-17 and Loop 303/Sonoran Desert Drive Interchange. This project will increase capacity for the northbound I-17 off-ramp and relieve congestion on northbound I-17.
Project Schedule:
- Construction Start: October 2025
- Duration: 100 working days, anticipated completion February 2026
Loop 303, Lake Pleasant Parkway to I-17 Improvements
Project Overview:
The project will add a third general-purpose lane in each direction between Lake Pleasant Parkway and I-17. The project includes new bridges for a future 67th Avenue interchange, direct system interchange ramps at I-17/Loop 303, lighting, drainage improvements, and new overhead signage.
Project Schedule:
- Construction Start: March 2026
- Duration: Approximately 30 months
I-10 Corridor Study - Deck Park Tunnel to I-10/I-17 Split
Project Overview:
This MAG-led study, in partnership with ADOT and the City of Phoenix, evaluated operational challenges and future improvements along I-10 from the Deck Park Tunnel to the I-10/I-17 Split. The study examines traffic demand, operational efficiency, and mitigation strategies for congestion near downtown Phoenix and Sky Harbor International Airport.
The study was finalized and approved by MAG committees February 2025.
MAG has turned the final study to ADOT. ADOT & Burgess & Niple initiated a kick-off to the Design Concept Report on November 20, 2025.
Loop 101 and Interstate 10 System Interchange Improvements
Project Overview:
This project is in partnership with the Maricopa Association of Governments, and in cooperation with the cities of Phoenix, Tolleson, Avondale, Goodyear and Glendale. This project is included in the Regional Transportation Plan for Maricopa County and is funded through Prop 400. The purpose of the project is to:
- Mitigate weaving movements for High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) traffic.
- Improve safety and traffic operations.
- Improve movement at traffic interchanges and surface streets.
- Accommodate future widening projects.
Project Schedule:
Construction Start: January 2026
Construction Duration: 36 months
State Route 30 (SR 30): 97th Avenue to Loop 202
Project Overview
Construct a new 4.5-mile segment of SR 30 between 97th Avenue and Loop 202 (South Mountain Freeway). The project also includes Loop 202 improvements to support the new system interchange with SR 30. The key features include:
- Three general-purpose lanes in each direction
- New system-to-system interchange at SR 30/Loop 202
- Traffic interchanges at 91st, 83rd, and 67th Avenues
- New bridges at 91st, 83rd, 75th, and 67th Avenues
- Widening existing Loop 202 bridges at Baseline Road, Southern Avenue, Broadway Road, Lower Buckeye Road, the Roosevelt Irrigation Canal, and Buckeye Road
- Drainage and lighting improvements
- Noise walls where warranted
Project Schedule:
Stage IV (60 percent) design - December 2025
Public Meeting - February 2026
Stage V (100 percent) design - April 2026
Construction - Spring 2027; anticipated duration 30 months
Location:
Citywide
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by City Manager Ed Zuercher and the Street Transportation Department.