Lane Restrictions and Major Surface Closures Snarl Sunday Commutes in North Phoenix and Chandler

Sunday Traffic Overview

Phoenix drivers should prepare for a mix of rolling lane restrictions and full surface street closures this Sunday, January 25, 2026. While the major freeways remain largely open, significant infrastructure work in the North Valley and the Southeast Valley will require commuters to plan for extra travel time. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is particularly focusing on lane restriping and widening projects that will impact both highway capacity and local access points.

Interstate 17 Rolling Restrictions

Those traveling between North Phoenix and Anthem will face intermittent delays on Interstate 17. ADOT has scheduled rolling lane closures between State Route 74 (Carefree Highway) and Anthem Way for essential lane restriping. These restrictions are specifically timed for today as follows:

• Northbound I-17: Expect the freeway to be narrowed to a single lane from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Southbound I-17: Traffic will be reduced to one lane between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Commuters are advised to exercise caution and watch for workers in the area. With the recent substantial completion of the broader I-17 Improvement Project, these finishing touches are necessary for safety, but they will likely cause backups during peak midday hours.

Loop 202 and Southeast Valley Closures

In the Chandler and Gilbert area, major surface street closures at the Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) are in effect through the weekend to accommodate a significant widening project. Drivers should note the following closures that will persist until 5:00 a.m. Monday morning:

• Arizona Avenue and Lindsay Road: Both streets are closed in both directions at the Loop 202 interchange.
• Westbound Loop 202 On-Ramp: The ramp at Arizona Avenue remains closed to all traffic.

Recommended detours include using McQueen Road, Cooper Road, or Gilbert Road as north-south alternatives. For those needing to access the westbound Santan Freeway, Alma School Road is the primary suggested on-ramp during this construction phase.

Valley Metro Public Transport Alerts

Public transit users should also anticipate detours due to the ongoing roadwork. Valley Metro has issued specific alerts for Sunday riders:

• Route 112: A detour is in place on Arizona Avenue between Pecos Road and Willis Road until early Monday morning.
• Route 136: This route is currently detoured between Brown Road and the Gilbert/McDowell Park and Ride.
• Route 27: Ongoing construction will see detours continue between 23rd Avenue and 27th Avenue through the end of the month.

Passengers are encouraged to check the Valley Metro app for real-time schedule adjustments and to allow at least 15 to 20 minutes of additional travel time for cross-town trips.