Weekend Freeway Restrictions Begin Friday Night; Sky Harbor and Local Utility Delays Expected

Phoenix Traffic and Commute Overview for Friday, March 6, 2026

Commuters in the Valley can expect a relatively clear morning commute under sunny skies, with temperatures ranging from a cool 55°F to a pleasant 71°F. However, as we head into the afternoon and evening, several significant roadworks projects and freeway restrictions are set to begin, impacting travel through the weekend. Drivers should prepare for delays near Sky Harbor International Airport throughout the day and major ramp closures on the Loop 101 and Loop 202 starting late tonight.

Major Freeway Restrictions and Closures

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has scheduled several improvement projects that will affect high-traffic areas starting this evening:

• Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway): Starting at 10 p.m. tonight, the off-ramps at 75th Avenue in the Northwest Valley will be closed in both directions for a widening project. In addition, 75th Avenue will be closed in both directions near the freeway until Sunday evening.
• Loop 202 (Santan Freeway): While the main eastbound closure at Val Vista Drive doesn't begin until Saturday, Lindsay Road will be closed in both directions at the Loop 202 starting at 10 p.m. tonight. Commuters in the Gilbert area should use Gilbert Road or Val Vista Drive as alternatives.
• US 60X (Main Street/Apache Trail): Paving work continues in the East Valley. As of 5 a.m. this morning, 81st Street is closed on the south side of Main Street. Expect narrowed lanes and shifting traffic patterns between Ellsworth and Meridian roads.

Sky Harbor and Downtown Surface Street Alerts

Travelers heading to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport today should allow for extra time. Lane restrictions are in place on eastbound Sky Harbor Boulevard on the west side of the airport from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. to facilitate work on the Taxiway U project. While terminal access remains open, the reduced lane capacity may cause midday congestion.

In central Phoenix, several utility projects are impacting surface street flow:

• 14th Street: Partial closures remain in effect between Washington and Monroe streets through the end of the day.
• 16th Street: Utility work near Weldon Avenue has resulted in partial lane restrictions that are expected to last through next week.
• 19th Avenue: Expect delays near Dunlap Avenue due to ongoing utility construction.

Valley Metro Public Transit Updates

Public transport users should be aware of several active detours affecting local bus routes:

• Route 136: A detour remains in place on Gilbert Road between Brown Road and the Gilbert Road Park-and-Ride.
• Orbit Earth: Construction detours continue for the Tempe Orbit Earth line between McKellips Road and College Avenue.
• Route 45: Ongoing construction between Dobson and Price roads continues to cause minor delays.
• Route 3: The bus stop at Van Buren Street and 5th Avenue has been temporarily moved due to downtown construction.

Plan ahead by checking the Valley Metro app for real-time arrivals and considering alternate routes if your Friday evening plans involve the Northwest Valley or the Santan Freeway corridor.