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Current and upcoming Loop 303/I-17 closures and restrictions

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Northbound I-17 off-ramp at Sonoran Desert Drive in north Phoenix scheduled to close Sept. 5-8

Ramp closure marks start of ramp widening project

The Arizona Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Maricopa Association of Governments, is scheduled to start work on a project to widen the northbound Interstate 17 off-ramp at Sonoran Desert Drive on Friday, Sept. 5. This widening project was identified as an accelerated and separate project in advance of the larger Loop 303, Lake Pleasant Parkway to I-17 Improvements.

SONORAN DESERT DRIVE OFF-RAMP CLOSURE

  • The northbound I-17 off-ramp at Sonoran Desert Drive will be closed beginning 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, and ending 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 8, for temporary concrete barrier placement.

DETOUR: Drivers can use the northbound I-17 off-ramp at Dove Valley Road and travel west to southbound 43rd Avenue to Loop 303 or eastbound Dove Valley Road to southbound North Valley Parkway to Sonoran Desert Drive.

The purpose of the project is to increase traffic capacity for the northbound I-17 off-ramp and relieve congestion on I-17. ADOT is working to improve the flow of traffic in the area by implementing a two-lane exit on northbound I-17 at Sonoran Desert Drive. Project improvements include:

  • Adding an additional lane to the northbound I-17 off-ramp at Sonoran Desert Drive
  • Constructing a storm drain
  • Installing new overhead signs
  • Restriping the outside lanes of northbound I-17 to accommodate the new ramp configuration

Overnight weeknight/weekend lane restrictions will be needed throughout construction but are expected to be minimal. No closures of northbound I-17 are anticipated. Construction is expected to take approximately four months to complete.

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Loop 303, Lake Pleasant Parkway to I-17 Improvements

Loop 303, Lake Pleasant Parkway to I-17 Improvements

Contents

  1. Overview
  2. Project Elements
  3. Project Area Map
  4. Project Simulation
  5. Project Schedule
  6. Northbound I-17 Off-Ramp at Sonoran Desert Drive Widening Project
  7. Previous Public Outreach
  8. Study Documents
  9. 51st and 43rd avenues Traffic Interchanges
  10. Stay Informed

Overview

The Arizona Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Maricopa Association of Governments and the cities of Phoenix and Peoria, will be improving Loop 303 between Lake Pleasant Parkway and Interstate 17 by adding one general purpose lane in each direction, bridges to accommodate a future interchange at 67th Avenue, and a new Loop 303/I-17 system interchange. The project seeks to address growing traffic demands on Loop 303.

Project Elements

  • Add a third general-purpose lane to Loop 303 in each direction between Lake Pleasant Parkway and I-17
  • Construct new bridges to accommodate a future traffic interchange at 67th Ave
  • Build direct connecting ramps at the I-17/Loop 303 system interchange
  • Widen northbound I-17 exit ramp at Sonoran Desert Drive
  • Install new lighting
  • Construct drainage improvements
  • Install new overhead signs

Project Area Map

Click map to enlarge.

Loop 303 Lake Pleasant Parkway to I-17 Project Map

Project Simulation

Project Schedule

The project will be delivered in three phases.

  • Phase 1: Sept. 2025 to early 2026 - Widen northbound I-17 off-ramp at Sonoran Desert Drive
  • Phase 2: Early 2026 to mid-2028 - Construct Loop 303/I-17 system interchange and widen Loop 303 between 51st Avenue and I-17
  • Phase 3: Late Spring 2026 to late 2027 - Widen Loop 303 between Lake Pleasant Parkway and 51st Avenue, construct bridges for future 67th Ave interchange

 

Northbound I-17 Off-Ramp at Sonoran Desert Drive Widening Project

Overview

The Arizona Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Maricopa Association of Governments, is widening the northbound Interstate 17 off-ramp at Sonoran Desert Drive to increase capacity for the northbound I-17 off-ramp and relieve congestion on northbound I-17.

Project Flyer

Project Elements

  • Adding an additional lane to the northbound I-17 off-ramp at Sonoran Desert Drive
  • Constructing a storm drain
  • Installing new overhead signs
  • Restriping the outside lanes of northbound I-17 to accommodate the new ramp configuration

Click map to enlarge.

Northbound I-17 Off-Ramp at Sonoran Desert Drive Widening Project Area Map

Schedule

Construction is anticipated to start in Sept. 2025 and take approximately four months to complete. Lane restrictions will be needed throughout construction but are expected to be minimal. No closures of northbound I-17 are anticipated.

Previous Public Outreach

ADOT held a virtual public meeting on April 17, 2024 to provide details the design of Loop 303 improvements to address growing traffic demands.

Meeting Recording and Presentation

Virtual Public Meeting Presentation

Virtual Public Meeting Presentation Script

Public Meeting Summary

On October 20, 2021, ADOT held a virtual public meeting to provide information about the proposed near-term and long-term improvement plans to Loop 303 between Lake Pleasant Parkway and Interstate 17.

Study Documents

Draft Air Quality Report (2025)

Draft Noise Report (2024)

Loop 303, Lake Pleasant Parkway to I-17 Final Design Concept Report

Appendices

51st and 43rd avenues Traffic Interchanges

Project Overview

In September 2022, the Arizona Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Maricopa Association of Governments, the Federal Highway Administration and the city of Phoenix, began construction on new Loop 303 traffic interchanges at 51st and 43rd avenues. The new interchanges will address expected traffic growth prompted by current and planned development in the area. The interchanges were completed and opened in September 2023.

51st and 43rd Project Area Map

Loop 303 Lake Pleasant Parkway to I-17 Project Map

In addition to the new traffic interchanges, the project also included:

  • New bridges on Loop 303 over 51st and 43rd avenues
  • The extension of the southbound frontage road from 43rd to 51st avenues
  • Drainage improvements at 51st and 43rd avenues
  • New signals at ramp and crossroad intersections
  • New signs, pavement markings and lighting
  • The 51st Avenue interchange was shifted slightly to the west to accommodate the realignment of 51st Avenue.

Note: While the city of Phoenix’s long-range transportation plan identifies the planned extension of 43rd, 51st and 67th Avenue/Pyramid Peak Parkway south of Loop 303 based on future development, the city has no immediate plans to extend these roadways

Stay Informed

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Submit questions and comments or request information in any of the following ways:

  • Phone: ADOT Project Information Line: 855.712.8530
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Mail: ADOT Communications, 1655 W. Jackson St., MD 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Contents

  1. Overview
  2. Project Elements
  3. Project Area Map
  4. Project Simulation
  5. Project Schedule
  6. Northbound I-17 Off-Ramp at Sonoran Desert Drive Widening Project
  7. Previous Public Outreach
  8. Study Documents
  9. 51st and 43rd avenues Traffic Interchanges
  10. Stay Informed

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