Phoenix AZ – February 22, 2026 | By STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
WHAT’S HAPPENING
What specific freeway restrictions occurred in Phoenix the weekend of Feb 20-23, 2026?
Northbound and southbound I-17 had lane restrictions between Dixileta Drive and Dove Valley Road, along with ramp closures at Dove Valley Road and Loop 303/Sonoran Desert Drive.
When did the Loop 101 ramp closure in Chandler begin?
The primary ramp connecting southbound Loop 101 to eastbound Loop 202 in Chandler closed at 10 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026, for approximately two weeks.
Why were these freeway improvements necessary in the Phoenix area?
The projects aim to add direct freeway-to-freeway ramps, widen lanes on Loop 303, and enhance traffic capacity on Loop 202 to accommodate growing traffic demands.
What funding sources are supporting the Phoenix freeway projects?
The Loop 303 project is funded by Proposition 479, and the Loop 202 widening project is partially funded by Proposition 400, both Maricopa County voter-approved sales taxes.
Major Phoenix area freeways, including I-17 and Loop 101 in Arizona, experienced significant restrictions and closures from February 20-23, 2026. These disruptions were necessary for crucial infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving traffic flow and capacity for growing demands. Motorists were advised of detour routes and potential delays throughout the weekend.
Phoenix Area Freeways Experienced Weekend Restrictions for Improvement Projects
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) advised motorists of freeway restrictions and closures that impacted travel across the Phoenix metropolitan area during the weekend of February 20-23, 2026. These measures were implemented to facilitate significant infrastructure upgrades on Interstate 17 and Loop 101.
What Were the Interstate 17 Restrictions?
Northbound and southbound Interstate 17 experienced lane restrictions in segments between Dixileta Drive and Dove Valley Road in north Phoenix. These restrictions were in place from 2 a.m. Saturday, February 21, to 2 a.m. Sunday, February 22, to allow for work zone setup related to the Loop 303 Improvement Project.
Specific ramp closures were also part of the I-17 work. The southbound I-17 on-ramp at Dove Valley Road and the southbound off-ramp at Loop 303/Sonoran Desert Drive were closed from 2 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 21. Additionally, the northbound I-17 off-ramp at Loop 303/Sonoran Desert Drive was closed from noon Saturday, February 21, to 2 a.m. Sunday, February 22. Detour routes were available, including options via the I-17/Dove Valley Road interchange and 43rd Avenue.
Details on the Loop 101 Ramp Closure
Further south, a primary ramp connecting the southbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway) to the eastbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) in Chandler was closed. This closure commenced at 10 p.m. on Friday, February 20, and was expected to last for approximately two weeks. The closure was necessary for improvement work as part of the ongoing Loop 202 widening project. Motorists were advised that the southbound Loop 101 HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lane ramp to eastbound Loop 202 remained open, though carpool lane rush-hour restrictions continued to apply. Drivers could consider detouring by exiting southbound Loop 101 to southbound Price Road to access an eastbound Loop 202 on-ramp.
What Are the Goals of These Freeway Improvement Projects?
The Loop 303 Improvement Project near I-17 aims to add direct freeway-to-freeway ramps at the interchange and widen Loop 303 to accommodate growing traffic demands. This $129 million project is among the first to be funded through Proposition 479, a half-cent sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2024 for regional transportation enhancements.
The Loop 202 widening project, also known as the Santan Freeway Improvement Project, is designed to enhance traffic capacity by adding new lanes between Loop 101 and Val Vista Drive, alongside other improvements to address increasing traffic demands in the southeast Valley. This $200 million initiative is partially funded by Proposition 400, a dedicated sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004, which supports a range of transportation projects across the region.
| Freeway Segment | Location | Type of Restriction | Duration/Timing | Project | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-17 (North & Southbound) | Between Dixileta Drive and Dove Valley Road, North Phoenix | Lane restrictions (2-3 lanes narrowed) | 2 a.m. Sat (Feb. 21) to 2 a.m. Sun (Feb. 22) | Loop 303 Improvement Project | Work zone setup for future direct ramps and widening |
| I-17 (Southbound On/Off-ramp) | Dove Valley Road on-ramp & Loop 303/Sonoran Desert Drive off-ramp | Ramp closure | 2 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sat (Feb. 21) | Loop 303 Improvement Project | Construction of interchange structures |
| I-17 (Northbound Off-ramp) | Loop 303/Sonoran Desert Drive | Ramp closure | Noon Sat (Feb. 21) to 2 a.m. Sun (Feb. 22) | Loop 303 Improvement Project | Construction of interchange structures |
| Loop 101 (Southbound Price Freeway) | Primary ramp to eastbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway), Chandler | Ramp closure | Approx. two weeks, starting 10 p.m. Fri (Feb. 20) | Loop 202 Widening Project | Pavement replacement and widening improvements |
| Loop 101 (Southbound HOV Ramp) | HOV ramp to eastbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) | Open with normal restrictions | Ongoing during ramp closure | Loop 202 Widening Project | Maintain traffic flow for HOV users |
| Funding Source | N/A | N/A | N/A | Loop 303 Improvement Project | Proposition 479 (Half-cent sales tax) |
| Funding Source | N/A | N/A | N/A | Loop 202 Widening Project | Proposition 400 (Half-cent sales tax) |
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Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.