The heatwave may be the last thing on Arizona drivers' minds, as the Arizona Department of Transportation announced there will be major closures set for the Loop 101 Agua Fria and Loop 202 Santan freeways this weekend.
As improvement projects will be visible throughout the metro Phoenix area, "drivers should allow extra travel time and use detour routes as needed for these weekend freeway restrictions," according to an ADOT travel advisory.
Freeway restriction schedules are subject to change due to weather or other factors. To double check freeway closures or lane restrictions before hitting the roads, real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s website at AZ511.gov, the az511 app or by calling 511.
Here are the scheduled restrictions
for the weekend of July 31 - Aug. 3.
Westbound Loop 101 Agua Fria Freeway
What: Closure
When: From 10 p.m. July 31 to 5 a.m. Aug. 3
Where: Between Interstate 17 and 51st Avenue
Why: Widening project
Detours: Consider using westbound Union Hills Drive or Bell Road to travel beyond the closure.
Notes: North- and southbound I-17 ramps to westbound Loop 101 closed. Westbound Loop 101 on-ramps at Seventh Street and Seventh Avenue closed.
Westbound Loop 202 Santan Freeway
What: Closure
When: From 10 p.m. July 31 to 5 a.m. Aug. 3
Where: Between Williams Field and Gilbert roads
Why: Widening project
Detours: Consider using southbound Higley Road to westbound Germann Road or using westbound Williams Field Road to travel beyond the closure. Westbound US 60 Superstition Freeway is an alternate freeway route.
Notes: Westbound Loop 202 on-ramp at Higley Road also closed.
Northbound State Route 51
What: Narrowed to two lanes
When: From 9 p.m. July 31 to 5 a.m. Aug. 3
Where: Between Northern Avenue and Shea Boulevard
Why: Pavement improvement project
Detours: Consider using northbound Interstate 17 as an alternate freeway route to north Phoenix.
Note: Northbound SR 51 is currently narrowed to two left lanes around-the-clock near Camelback Road for pavement replacement work. Consider using northbound I-17.
North- and southbound Loop 101 ramps to Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway
What: Ramp closures
When: From 8 p.m. July 31 to 5 a.m. Aug. 3
Where: All north- and southbound Loop 101 ramps to Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway
Why: Pavement improvement project
Detours: Loop 101 drivers should consider exiting ahead of the ramp closures and using alternate routes to connect with Loop 202. Alternate routes include McKellips and Alma School roads as well as Scottsdale/Rural roads and University Drive.
Note: Southbound Loop 101 on-ramp at McKellips Road also closed.
ADOT Safety Message Contest
ADOT has invited the public to create engaging traffic safety messages in the Safety Message Contest.
Entries can be submitted through Aug. 4 at azdot.gov/SignContest.
The contest gives Arizonans a chance to see their traffic safety messages displayed on ADOT's overhead Dynamic Message Signs.
Here’s how the contest works:
Winners displayed: The two messages that get the most votes will be the winners and appear on overhead boards on Arizona’s highways.
Submit ideas: Enter as many traffic safety message ideas as you can come up with at azdot.gov/SignContest through Aug. 4.
Vote on finalists: ADOT will select at least 10 finalists for the public to vote on.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Which Arizona freeways and ramps are scheduled to close this weekend?
