Major Loop 101 Ramp Closure and Weekend Freeway Restrictions Start Tonight

Phoenix Traffic Overview: Friday, February 20, 2026

Good morning, Phoenix commuters. While the morning rush is moving steadily across the Valley, significant construction activity is scheduled to begin late tonight that will impact weekend travel and long-term navigation in the East Valley. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has issued a major advisory for those traveling through Chandler and North Phoenix.

Major Two-Week Closure: Southbound Loop 101 to Eastbound Loop 202

The most significant alert for tonight involves the southbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway) primary ramp to eastbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) in Chandler. Starting at 10 p.m. tonight, Friday, February 20, this ramp will close for approximately two weeks for essential pavement replacement and repair work. This is part of the ongoing Santan Freeway widening project.

• Detour: Drivers should consider exiting southbound Loop 101 at Price Road or Chandler Boulevard. From there, use southbound Dobson Road or the Price Road frontage to access the eastbound Loop 202 on-ramps.
• HOV Exception: The southbound Loop 101 HOV lane ramp to eastbound Loop 202 will remain open, though standard carpool lane occupancy restrictions will apply during peak hours.

North Phoenix: I-17 Narrowing for Loop 303 Improvements

In the North Valley, crews are preparing for the first phase of the Loop 303 Improvement Project, funded by Proposition 479. While the heaviest restrictions begin early Saturday, commuters heading home tonight may see early work zone setup near the I-17 and Loop 303 interchange.

• Starting at 2 a.m. Saturday, north- and southbound I-17 will be narrowed to two or three lanes between Dixileta Drive and Dove Valley Road.
• The southbound I-17 on-ramp at Dove Valley Road and the off-ramp at Loop 303 will experience closures throughout the weekend. Commuters are advised to use 43rd Avenue as an alternate route.

Local Freeway Alerts in Chandler

Beyond the major ramp closure, the Santan Freeway will see additional restrictions starting tonight at 9 p.m.:

• The eastbound Loop 202 on-ramp at Arizona Avenue will be closed until 5 p.m. Sunday, February 22.
• Eastbound Loop 202 will be narrowed to only two lanes between Price Road and Arizona Avenue for the duration of the weekend.

Public Transit and Light Rail Update

Valley Metro reports that the new two-line light rail system is operating on a standard Friday schedule. The A Line (East-West) and B Line (North-South) are facilitating transfers at the Downtown Phoenix Hub without any reported service interruptions. For those looking to avoid the freeway construction in Chandler, the light rail remains a reliable alternative for cross-valley travel between Mesa, Tempe, and North Phoenix.

As always, please slow down in work zones and allow for extra travel time if your Friday evening plans take you through the South Mountain or Price Freeway corridors.