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Pair of East Valley freeway projects in early construction stages

Crews at work on State Route 24 extension, Loop 202/Lindsay interchange

Posted 2/11/21

Initial construction is underway on two East Valley freeway projects designed to open more travel options for drivers in the east Mesa, Queen Creek, Apache Junction and south Gilbert areas.

Crews …

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transportation

Pair of East Valley freeway projects in early construction stages

Crews at work on State Route 24 extension, Loop 202/Lindsay interchange

Posted

Initial construction is underway on two East Valley freeway projects designed to open more travel options for drivers in the east Mesa, Queen Creek, Apache Junction and south Gilbert areas.

Crews have set up work zones and are making early progress on the Arizona Department of Transportation’s projects to extend State Route 24 (Gateway Freeway) east of Ellsworth Road and also add a new interchange along Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) at Lindsay Road, according to a release.

The $77 million SR24 project, which started in December, will add an interim four-lane divided roadway for 5 miles between Ellsworth Road and Ironwood Drive.

ADOT worked with the Federal Highway Administration and regional planners to arrange funding for the project years ahead of when a full freeway could be built.

The SR24 extension, providing drivers with a new route to ease growing traffic demands, is scheduled to open by late 2022.

A dirt hauling operation will require several weekend closures of a freeway ramp starting Friday night, Feb. 19. The westbound SR 24 on-ramp at Ellsworth Road is scheduled to be closed from 9 p.m. Fridays to 5 a.m. Mondays on weekends from Feb. 19 to March 29. Drivers can use detours on Ellsworth, Ray or Elliot roads. Overnight restrictions along Ellsworth Road will be needed at times over the next four months when heavy equipment has to cross the road near SR24, the release states.

Click here for more information about the SR 24 extension project.

Meanwhile, crews broke ground in January on the $21.7 million project to add a new Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) interchange at Lindsay Road. Crews have established work zones for the construction of on- and off-ramps to connect Lindsay Road with Loop 202. A new westbound Loop 202 frontage road will be added between Lindsay and Gilbert roads. Completion is scheduled in early 2022. The town of Gilbert took the lead in efforts to arrange funding for the project.

Freeway restrictions while the Lindsay Road interchange is under construction will be limited since most of the work will take place behind temporary barrier walls. Drivers should use caution and still watch for crews and equipment in the project area. Click here for more information about the Santan Freeway/Lindsay Road interchange.