Light-rail work closes Loop 101 stretch

The final weekend freeway closure associated with METRO light-rail construction will be a doozy for East Valley motorists, especially when combined with two other freeway restrictions on Interstate 10 and U.S. 60.

Loop 101 between Broadway Road and Rio Salado Parkway in Tempe will be closed from 10 p.m. today to 5 a.m. Monday, with all traffic required to exit onto the adjacent Price Road, transportation officials said.

Northbound traffic must exit at Broadway and can reenter the freeway at Rio Salado, and the reverse will apply to southbound vehicles.

The Arizona Department of Transportation recommends drivers exit sooner than those roads, however, and maintain as much distance from the affected area as possible.

“You’ll encounter fewer traffic backups if you take the time to get away from the closure,” ADOT spokesman Doug Nintzel said.

The shutdown will allow removal of temporary barriers associated with light-rail construction on the Apache Boulevard bridge over Loop 101. It is the last major closure on Loop 101 scheduled for the project, Nintzel said, although there may be additional, more limited closures or restrictions in the future.

The removal of construction-related barriers will allow reopening of the southbound Loop 101 on ramp at University Drive on Monday morning.

In east Mesa, eastbound U.S. 60 will be restricted to one lane from Loop 202’s Santan Freeway interchange to Crismon Road from 10 p.m. today to 5 a.m. Monday. On Monday, the same area will be restricted to two lanes before reopening at 10 p.m.

In addition, eastbound I-10 will be closed from 9 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday between 40th Street and Broadway.