Significant Weekend Closures on Loop 101 and Loop 202 Starting Friday Night

Commute Overview for Friday, January 30

Commuters in the Valley should prepare for a relatively stable Friday morning commute, but significant disruptions are scheduled to begin this evening. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has issued a weekend travel advisory effective from late Friday night through Monday morning. While arterial streets remain the best bet for local travel, several major freeway segments will see total closures for widening and utility projects starting at 10:00 PM tonight.

Major Freeway Restrictions and Closures

Drivers should be aware of the following primary closures beginning tonight, Friday, January 30:

• Loop 101 (Pima Freeway): Eastbound lanes will be fully closed between Cave Creek Road and State Route 51 in North Phoenix. This closure begins at 10:00 PM tonight and is scheduled to last until 5:00 AM Monday, February 2. This is part of the ongoing ramp widening project. ADOT recommends using Union Hills Drive or Bell Road as primary detours.
• Loop 202 (Santan Freeway): Westbound lanes will be closed at Arizona Avenue in Chandler starting at 10:00 PM tonight. This closure is necessary for the Santan widening project. Traffic will be detoured along the off- and on-ramps at Arizona Avenue, but heavy delays are expected.
• I-17 (Black Canyon Freeway): Expect intermittent lane narrowing in both directions between the Carefree Highway (SR 74) and Anthem Way. Crews are performing lane striping and safety work. While not a full closure, merging traffic may cause sudden slowdowns.

Local Street and Utility Work

Within Phoenix city limits, several local restrictions remain in effect today:

• 101st Avenue: Partial closures continue between Camelback Road and Missouri Avenue for street transportation maintenance. Work is expected to wrap up late today, but residual delays may affect the afternoon rush hour.
• 107th Avenue: Ongoing private development work has restricted traffic to a partial closure between Miami Avenue and Albeniz Place. This restriction is expected to remain in place through March.

Public Transit and Light Rail Updates

Valley Metro has announced a major shift in long-term transit planning following this week’s Phoenix City Council vote. As of today, the city has officially exited the development process for the Capitol Extension (CAPEX). Instead, resources are being reprioritized toward the Indian School Road alignment for the next phase of light rail expansion. Commuters in West Phoenix should watch for increased surveyor activity along Indian School Road in the coming weeks. Local bus service remains on a standard Friday schedule, though routes near the Loop 101 and Loop 202 closures may experience minor delays due to diverted traffic.

Commuter Advice

For those heading home late this evening, it is highly recommended to clear the Loop 101 and Loop 202 corridors before the 10:00 PM shutdowns. If traveling over the weekend, utilize navigation apps and consider the I-10 as an alternative, as the Broadway Curve project is now substantially complete and offering smoother transit through the downtown split.