Heavy Race Day Traffic and Major Loop 202 Closure This Sunday

Major Traffic Impacts for Sunday, March 8, 2026

Phoenix commuters and weekend travelers should prepare for a busy day on the roads. A combination of high-profile sporting events and significant freeway construction is expected to create pockets of heavy congestion across the Valley. Whether you are heading to the West Valley for racing or traveling through Gilbert, plan for extra travel time and consider using navigation apps to monitor real-time conditions.

NASCAR and Cactus League Event Alerts

The West Valley will see the highest concentration of traffic today due to the Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale. The NASCAR Cup Series race is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. local time, meaning heavy inbound traffic is expected on I-10 West and Loop 101 South throughout the morning. Following the race, expect significant delays on all routes leading away from the track until early evening.

Additionally, Spring Training is in full swing with multiple 1:05 p.m. starts across the region. Areas surrounding Goodyear Ballpark, Peoria Sports Complex, and Salt River Fields will experience localized congestion. Drivers should be particularly cautious of increased pedestrian activity near these stadiums.

ADOT Freeway Closures and Restrictions

The Arizona Department of Transportation has several major projects active this weekend that will impact your commute:

• Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) in Gilbert: The eastbound lanes are closed at Val Vista Drive until 8:00 p.m. tonight for a widening and paving project. On-ramps at Cooper, Gilbert, and Lindsay roads are also closed. Traffic is being detoured onto the off- and on-ramps at Val Vista, but motorists are encouraged to use Williams Field or Germann roads as alternate east-west routes.
• Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) in the Northwest Valley: Off-ramps at 75th Avenue remain closed in both directions until 6:00 p.m. tonight. Furthermore, 75th Avenue is closed in both directions near the freeway. Commuters should use 67th or 83rd avenues to bypass the restriction.
• State Route 51 (Piestewa Freeway): Ongoing resurfacing work between I-10 and Shea Boulevard may cause intermittent lane restrictions. While no full closure is scheduled for today, expect slower speeds in the work zone.

Valley Metro Public Transport Updates

Public transit riders should be aware of several specific service adjustments today:

• Route 138: A detour is in effect until 11:00 a.m. to accommodate the Annual Runners Den Pancake Run. Several stops along the race route will not be served during this period.
• Route 35: Construction near 35th Avenue and Union Hills Drive has necessitated a detour that will remain in place until midnight.
• Route 81: Roadwork at the ASU Research Park continues to impact service, with minor delays expected on short-trip segments throughout the day.

Valley Metro encourages light rail riders heading to Spring Training games in Mesa or Tempe to check the mobile app for the latest frequency updates, as additional trains may be deployed for peak event hours.