Major Closures on Loop 202 and I-17 Lane Restrictions This Saturday

Weekend Traffic Overview for January 24, 2026

As we head into the weekend, Phoenix residents should prepare for significant travel impacts on major corridors. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has scheduled several freeway improvement projects that will result in full closures and lane restrictions starting today, Saturday, January 24. Whether you are heading north to the high country or navigating the Southeast Valley, planning your route in advance is essential to avoiding heavy congestion.

I-17 Northbound and Southbound Restrictions

Drivers traveling between the North Valley and Anthem should expect delays due to essential maintenance. I-17 will be narrowed to a single lane in both directions overnight between State Route 74 (Carefree Highway) and Anthem Way. This restriction is in place from 7:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. for lane striping operations. During the daytime hours today, rolling lane closures will continue: northbound restrictions are active until 2:00 p.m., while southbound I-17 will be limited to one or two lanes until 7:00 p.m. Motorists are urged to slow down and merge safely when approaching these work zones.

Full Closures in the Southeast Valley

The most substantial impact this weekend occurs on the Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) in Chandler. Both Arizona Avenue and Lindsay Road are closed in both directions at the Loop 202 interchange for a massive widening project. These closures began Friday night and will remain in effect until 5:00 a.m. Monday morning. Additionally, the westbound Loop 202 on-ramp at Arizona Avenue is currently blocked. To navigate around these closures, ADOT recommends using the following alternate routes:

• McQueen Road
• Cooper Road
• Gilbert Road
• Alma School Road (for westbound Loop 202 access)

Local Alerts and Public Transit Detours

In Tempe, Mill Avenue will face a temporary closure this evening for the Tempe Unity Walk. Southbound Mill Avenue between Curry Road and Rio Salado Parkway will be shut down from approximately 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Valley Metro riders should also note specific detours today. Route 17 is diverted this morning until 11:00 a.m. for the Diplo’s Run Club event, and Route 112 is operating on a detour near Arizona Avenue due to the ongoing Santan Freeway construction. Transit users are encouraged to check the Valley Metro app for real-time schedule adjustments.

Safe Commuting Tips

With multiple work zones active across the Phoenix metro area, please allow at least 20 extra minutes for your commute. Construction schedules are subject to change based on local weather conditions. Stay alert, watch for worker safety, and use navigation apps to find the fastest available detours.