Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) Widening Projects

Interstate 10 to US 60 (Grand Avenue)

• Description: Construct a new general purpose lane and an HOV lane in each direction. Construct auxiliary lanes from Northern to Grand (US 60) avenues.
   
• Schedule: Funding is included in Phase III (2016-2020) of the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for the HOV lane and Phase IV (2021-2025) for the general purpose and auxiliary lanes.

US 60 (Grand Avenue) to Interstate 17

• Description: Add a new general purpose lane and an HOV lane in each direction. Construct auxiliary lanes from Grand Avenue (US 60) to Bell Road.
    
• Schedule: These projects are funded in Phase IV (2021-2025) of the RTP.
  

Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) Traffic Interchange Projects

Bethany Home Road Traffic Interchange improvements  

• Description: Construct a half-diamond interchange at Loop 101 and Bethany Home Road with northbound Loop 101 entrance ramps and southbound exit ramps. Note: the southern half of the interchange was completed in August 2006.
    
• Schedule: Construction began in September 2006 and was completed in August 2007.

Beardsley Road Connector Project  

• Description: The Beardsley Road Connector project involves extending Beardsley Road from 83rd Avenue and connecting it to Loop 101 for traffic exiting westbound and entering southbound.

  

The project includes a one-way southbound frontage road along Loop 101 from 75th Avenue to Union Hills Road. This frontage road will be used by traffic exiting Loop 101 westbound at Beardsley Road or Union Hills Drive and traffic entering Loop 101 southbound or northbound from 75th Avenue or Beardsley Road. The southbound entrance ramp at 75th Avenue and the westbound exit ramp at Union Hills will be relocated slightly to improve traffic flow at these interchanges. Additionally the project will add a u-turn bridge over Loop 101 running just north of the existing Union Hills Drive overpass, which will allow traffic to enter Loop 101 northbound/eastbound from the frontage road without going through the signalized intersection at Union Hills Drive. This project will reduce congestion and improve safety and traffic flow at the 75th Avenue and Union Hills Drive interchanges, and will also enhance access to Loop 101 from the Northwest Valley.

View interactive project map

The Beardsley Road Connector Project is a City of Peoria sponsored project funded through the MAG RTP, which will be designed and constructed in coordination with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the City of Glendale. ADOT will oversee and construct any related elements within the freeway right of way, including frontage roads, ramps and bridge structures.

• Schedule: Construction to extend Beardsley Road from 81st Avenue to Loop 101 is scheduled to begin by fall 2008. Construction of the ADOT portion of the improvements within the freeway right of way is scheduled to begin in early 2009 and be complete in 2010. The schedule for the ADOT related improvements was advanced by three years from the schedule identified in the RTP with funding from the City of Peoria.

Union Hills Traffic Interchange improvements  

• Description: Make improvements to the interchange at Union Hills Drive to improve traffic flow. Planned improvements include widening the Union Hills bridge over Loop 101 to allow three through lanes in each direction, installing dual left turn lanes onto Loop 101 in each direction,  and constructing a sidewalk on both sides of the bridge.  On the east and west approaches there will also be three through lanes and storage for the dual left turn lanes with right turn lanes for the Loop 101 on-ramps. The northbound off-ramp will be widened to accommodate additional traffic. These improvements will be constructed in conjunction with the planned interchange improvements at this location as part of the Beardsley Road Connector project.
   
• Schedule: Funding for interchange improvements at this location was originally included in Phase II (2011-2015) of the Regional Transportation Plan. However, in February 2008 the City of Peoria approved accelerating the construction of the project to begin in fiscal year 2009. Construction is currently scheduled to begin in early 2009 and be complete in 2010.

Thunderbird Road Traffic Interchange improvements  

• Description: Make improvements to the interchange at Thunderbird Road to improve traffic flow. The project will widen Thunderbird Road to provide three through lanes and dual left turn lanes in each direction.
   
• Schedule: Funding for interchange improvements at this location is included in Phase I (2006-2010) of the Regional Transportation Plan. Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2008 and be complete in early 2009.
  

Other Improvements

Landscape improvements  

• Description: Install additional landscaping from Northern to 31st avenues.
   
• Schedule: Installation was completed in May 2008.

Cable median barriers  

• Description: Upgrade cable median barriers along Loop 101 from Glendale Avenue to State Route 51, to comply with new highway design standards.
   
• Schedule: Installation of cable median barriers from Glendale Avenue to Thunderbird Road was completed summer 2007. Completion of all cable barrier installation is anticipated in summer 2008.

Our Valley Freeway System is part of the 2004 voter-approved Regional Transportation Plan. We are working hard with our transit partners to implement the voters’ vision and are committed to quality, safety, open communication with our neighbors, and minimal inconvenience to the traveling public.