PHOENIX -- As temperatures cool in the Valley, the Arizona Department of Transportation is heating up efforts to open new lanes on I-17 between Loop 101 and the Carefree Highway.
Those efforts were apparent last weekend and will be again this weekend with the paving of newly constructed lanes with rubberized asphalt. Rubberized asphalt has become a standard part of freeways in the Valley because it reduces road noise and provides a smoother ride than other surfaces.
Fall and spring are the only seasons when the weather cooperates with rubberized asphalt paving requirements, and ADOT is taking full advantage of the season on I-17. The paving operation started a couple weeks ago and is at a point on southbound I-17 between Happy Valley Road and Loop 101 where major restrictions are needed to pave the new lanes.
This weekend drivers can expect the following restrictions:
Southbound I-17 narrowed to one lane between Rose Garden Lane and Union Hills Drive from 8 a.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Sunday (Oct. 25).
Loop 101 ramps to southbound I-17 closed from 10 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday (Oct. 26). Detour: Exit at 35th or 19th avenues, south to Union Hills Drive to access freeway.
Southbound on-ramp at Rose Garden Lane closed from 8 a.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Sunday (Oct. 25). Detour: Use Deer Valley Road or Union Hills Drive.
Southbound on-ramp at Yorkshire Drive closed from 8 a.m. Sunday to 4 a.m. Monday (Oct. 26). The southbound frontage road between Yorkshire and Union Hills drives will also be restricted to one lane. Detour: Use southbound frontage road to access I-17 at Union Hills Drive.
After rubberized asphalt is applied it must cure for six to eight hours before it can be striped and opened to traffic. Drivers should use alternative routes if possible and exercise patience through the work zone.
There are more restrictions to come at night and on weekends as ADOT works towards opening new lanes later this year on I-17 between Loop 101 and State Route 74 (Carefree Highway).
For a complete list of highway and freeway restrictions across Arizona, visit ADOT’s travel information site at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1. Sign up for ADOT’s email updates, including weekend freeway restrictions, at www.azdot.gov.
