Northwest Valley Freeway Projects
Interstate 17 (Black Canyon Freeway) North of Loop 101
Major improvements, including new lanes and interchanges, are planned on Interstate 17 (Black Canyon Freeway) north of Loop 101 to New River. These improvements are part of the 20-year Regional Transportation Plan (RTP).
The planned improvements along I-17 north of Loop 101 are described below, including the timeframe or “phase” in which the improvements are expected to occur.
Loop 101 to State Route 74 (Carefree Highway)
The following improvements are scheduled to be complete in 2009:
- Additional lanes - one general purpose lane and one HOV lane in each direction
- New interchanges at Jomax Road, Dixileta Drive, Dove Valley Road and Lone Mountain Road (location of the future connection to Loop 303)
- Improved interchanges at Deer Valley Road and Carefree Highway
- Frontage roads extended to Dixileta Drive and converted to one-way to improve safety and traffic flow
- Improved drainage
State Route 74 (Carefree Highway) to Anthem Way
- Additional lanes - one general purpose lane and one HOV lane in each direction
- General purpose lane - scheduled to be completed in 2010
- HOV lane - scheduled to be constructed in Phase IV (2021-2025)
Anthem Way to New River
- Additional lane - one general purpose lane in each direction
- Scheduled to be constructed in Phase IV (2021-2025)
Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway)
Planned Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) improvements include widening by two lanes in each direction between Interstate 10 and Interstate 17, as well as new and improved interchanges to improve access. These projects are scheduled throughout the 20-year cycle of the Regional Transportation Plan.
The planned improvements along Loop 101 are described below, including the timeframe in which the improvements are expected to occur.
- Additional lanes – one general purpose lane and one HOV lane in each direction from Interstate 10 to Interstate 17:
- Interstate 10 to US 60 (Grand Avenue)
- HOV lane – Phase III (2016-2020)
- General purpose lane – Phase IV (2021-2025)
- US 60 (Grand Avenue) to Interstate 17
- General purpose and HOV lane– Phase IV (2021-2025)
- New interchange:
- Bethany Home Road
- Interchange ramps to the south – Phase I (2006-2010). Project was completed in August 2006.
- Interchange ramps to the north – Phase I (2006-2010). Scheduled to be completed fall 2007.
- Interchange improvements:
- Thunderbird Road – Phase I (2006-2010)
- Union Hills Drive – Phase I (2006-2009) and Phase II (2010-2015)
- 75th Avenue – Phase I (2006-2009)
- Frontage road improvements:
- Beardsley Road (75th Avenue to Union Hills Drive) – Phase I (2006-2010)
- Landscaping improvements:
- Northern to 31st Avenues – Phase I (2006-2010)
- Other improvements:
- Install cable median barriers from Glendale Avenue to Skunk Creek Road (just north of Thunderbird Road) - Phase I (2006-2010). Scheduled to be completed summer 2007.
Loop 303 (Bob Stump Memorial Parkway) North of I-10
Funding in the 20-year Regional Transportation Plan will allow ADOT to complete the Loop 303 as a six-lane freeway between I-10 and I-17 by 2017 – with an interim project to connect the northern section of Loop 303 to I-17 by 2010.
The planned Loop 303 improvements are described below, including the timeframe in which the improvements are expected to occur.
- Happy Valley Parkway to Interstate 17
- Construct a new section of Loop 303, which will initially be built as an interim four-lane divided roadway - Phase I (2006-2010). Construction of the interim roadway is scheduled to begin in 2008, with completion in late 2010.
- Complete this section of Loop 303 as a six-lane freeway – Phase III (2016-2020). Proposed completion in 2017.
- US 60 (Grand Avenue) to Interstate 17*
- Complete this section of Loop 303 as a six-lane freeway – Phase II (2011-2015) and Phase III (2016-2020). Proposed completion in 2017.
- Interstate 10 to US 60*
- Complete this section of Loop 303 as a six-lane freeway – Phase III (2016-2020). Proposed completion in 2017.
* Pending completion of environmental process.
US 60 (Grand Avenue)
The Regional Transportation Plan identifies a number of improvement projects along US 60 (Grand Avenue) between Loop 303 and McDowell Road, including the addition of general purpose lanes to increase capacity and create a continuous six-lane roadway between Interstate 17 and Loop 303, grade separations (overpasses and underpasses) to improve traffic flow, as well as other general improvements. Implementation of these projects spans the 20-year regional program.
The planned improvements along Grand Avenue are described below.
- Additional lanes:
- 99th to 83rd Avenues – Construct a new general purpose lane in each direction - Phase I (2006-2009). Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2008, with completion in late 2009.
- Loop 303 to 99th Avenue – Construct a new general purpose lane in each direction - Phase I (2006-2009). Construction is scheduled to begin in 2009, with completion in 2010.
- Interchange of US 60 and US 93 – Widen US 60 and US 93 to a five-lane roadway (two through lanes in each direction and a left turn lane) from the interchange of US 60 and US 93 approximately 2 miles east on US 93.
- Capacity, traffic flow or other unspecified improvements to be determined after future studies*:
- Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) to McDowell Road – Phase I (2006-2010)
- Loop 303 to 99th Avenue – Phase II (2011-2015)
- Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) to Van Buren Street – Phase II (2011-2015)
* Note: Improvements will be identified as a result of future studies, and may include grade separations (underpasses and overpasses), access management and/or other measures.
- Grade separation (underpass and overpass) intersection projects
- 51st Avenue /Bethany Home Road – Phase IV (2021-2025)
- 35th Avenue/Indian School Road – Phase IV (2021-2025)
- 19th Avenue/McDowell Road – Phase IV (2021-2025)
State Route 74 (Carefree Highway)
State Route 74 is, primarily, a two-lane highway that extends more than 30 miles, connecting US 60 (Grand Avenue) near Morristown with Interstate 17 (Black Canyon Freeway) in north Phoenix. East of I-17, SR 74 becomes the Carefree Highway, a county-controlled arterial street.
Recognizing the projected growth in the Northwest Valley, funding was included in the 20-year Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) to preserve right-of-way along SR 74 to meet future projected traffic demands. The plan also includes passing lanes in the following locations:
- Milepost 20-22 (2 miles west of Lake Pleasant Parkway) – Phase I (2006-2010). Scheduled to be constructed in 2008.
- Milepost 13-15 (just east of 171st/Cotton Lane) – Phase I (2006-2010). Scheduled to be constructed in 2010.
