Subject: Weekend freeway restrictions in the Phoenix area (Dec. 15-18) & METRO traffic restrictions update Date: Thursday, December 14, 2006 6:27 PM Weekend freeway restrictions in the Phoenix area (Dec. 15-18); Grand Avenue closed at Thomas Road Several improvement projects will require closures or lane restrictions along Valley freeways this weekend (Dec. 15-18). The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) encourages drivers to use alternate routes while the following restrictions are in place: * Grand Avenue (US 60) overpass at Thomas Road closed in both directions from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (Dec. 18) for pavement repair work. Grand Avenue traffic will be detoured around the overpass closure on local streets, including 23rd and 27th avenues and the Grand Avenue access ramps at the Thomas Road interchange. Note: This work was postponed last weekend. * Interstate 10 narrowed to one lane in both directions at Ray Road from 11 p.m. Sunday to 4 a.m. Monday (Dec. 18) for bridge work. The I-10 on and off-ramps at Ray Road also closed during the overnight work. The Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) ramps to westbound I-10 will be closed. Drivers are encouraged to give themselves extra travel time and to be prepared to merge safely in the work zone. * Brown Road in Mesa closed in both directions at the Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) construction zone from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (Dec. 18) for utility work. Drivers can use University Drive or McKellips Road as alternate routes. McKellips Road has reopened to traffic at the future Loop 202 crossing following a six-month closure for accelerated freeway construction. * Westbound Loop 202 carpool lane closed at the I-10/SR 51 interchange from 9 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday (Dec. 16) for maintenance work. Drivers are urged to stay alert and use caution when approaching the work zone. * Westbound I-10 ramp to northbound I-17 at the Stack interchange closed from 9 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday (Dec. 18) for bridge inspection. Westbound I-10 drivers who normally use this ramp will detour to northbound 19th Avenue and use westbound McDowell Road to connect with northbound I-17. _____ METRO traffic restrictions update Dec. 14, 2006 Phoenix, Ariz. - The METRO light rail system will be under construction through December 2008, when it will begin carrying passengers. Construction crews are working hard to minimize impacts on traffic. When completed, the METRO light rail line will cover 20 miles through the cities of Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. All restrictions and dates are tentative and are subject to change. For more information visit the METRO Web site at MetroLightRail.org and click on the construction icon. PHOENIX LINE SECTION 1 Ongoing restrictions 19th Avenue between Montebello Avenue and Camelback Road, and Camelback Road between 19th Avenue and Central Avenue Utilities and METRO contractor work One lane open in each direction. Left turns at intersections are restricted; pay close attention to signage Ongoing restriction LINE SECTION 2 Ongoing restrictions Central Avenue between Camelback Road and Thomas roads Utility relocation, signal wiring and installation, and storm drain work One lane open in each direction Thru April 2007 LINE SECTION 3 Ongoing restrictions Intersection of Monroe Street and First Avenue Track installation Southbound traffic on First Avenue can only turn right at Monroe Street. Westbound traffic can only turn south onto First Avenue Intersection at Van Buren Street and First Avenue Track installation Eastbound traffic on Van Buren cannot turn right onto First Avenue. Westbound traffic on Van Buren cannot turn left onto First Avenue. Thru mid-February Second and Third streets at Washington Street Track installation North and southbound traffic may not cross Washington Street Thru mid-December Intersection of 24th and Washington Streets Track installation North and southbound traffic on 24th Street turns into one lane in each direction; no left turns from 24th St. onto Washington Thru mid-January Intersection at 23rd and Washington Streets Track Installation Northbound 23rd Street traffic dead ends at Washington Street; Southbound traffic detours at Washington Street Thru mid-January PHOENIX / TEMPE LINE SECTION 4 Ongoing restrictions Washington Street between Center Parkway and Mill Avenue Guideway constructions One lane open in each direction no left turns Thru 2007 Washington Street at SR 143 Reason: Street replacement Southbound SRE 143 on-ramp closed to eastbound Washington Street; Northbound SR143 off-ramp closed to eastbound Washington Street Thru Dec. 18 Intersection of 48th Street and Washington streets Rail guideway construction No left turns in any direction at intersection. One lane open in each direction on Washington Street Thru Dec. 22 Washington Street between Center Parkway and 26th Street Guideway construction; intersections replacement One lane open in each direction End date not yet set TEMPE / MESA Line Section 5 New restrictions Veterans Way between Fifth and Sixth streets Concrete pour Westbound lanes closed Dec. 18-22 Intersection at Rural and Terrace roads Guideway installation Northbound traffic restricted to one lane Dec. 18-19 River Road at Apache Boulevard Utility relocation River Road closed at Apache Boulevard intersection Dec. 17 Ongoing restrictions Apache Boulevard between Terrace and Roosevelt roads (Tempe and Mesa) METRO contractor work One lane open for eastbound traffic Thru Dec. 29 Loop 101 at University Drive METRO contractor work Southbound Loop 101 on ramp at University Drive closed Thru April 2007 Intersection of Apache Boulevard and McClintock Road Water line installation One lane open in each direction Thru Dec. 16, daily from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. Apache Boulevard between Terrace Road and Dorsey Streete Road widening Westbound traffic restricted to one lane Thru Dec. 29