If you’ve spent any time driving through the North Mesa corridor, you know the vibe changes the second you hit the corner of McKellips and Mesa Dr. It’s one of those spots in the Valley that feels like a crossroads between the old-school Mesa citrus groves of yesterday and the suburban sprawl of tomorrow. Honestly, most people just blast through it on their way to the Loop 202 or to grab a quick taco, but there’s a lot more happening here than a simple red light.
Mesa is huge. We all know that. But this specific patch of the East Valley has a weirdly specific rhythm. You've got the Lehi agricultural area just a stone's throw to the north, providing this lush, green canopy that feels nothing like the rest of the desert. Then, right at the intersection, you’re hit with the reality of 2026 infrastructure demands and the constant hum of a city that never quite stopped growing.
The Infrastructure Headache (And Why It Matters)
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the orange barrels. If you’ve been through McKellips and Mesa Dr lately, you’ve probably noticed the "under construction" signs are basically permanent fixtures. As of early 2026, the City of Mesa has been aggressively pushing the McKellips Relief Sewer Project.
It sounds boring, I know. But here’s the thing—the sewer mains in this part of town have been doing the heavy lifting for over 50 years. With the explosion of new apartments and "luxury" townhomes nearby, the old pipes literally couldn't handle the load. B&F Contracting has been the name on the side of the trucks you see out there, and while they’re aiming for completion by August 2026, the lane restrictions are a real pain for anyone trying to make a left turn during rush hour.
It’s not just the sewers, though. This intersection is a major artery for people avoiding the 60 or trying to cut across to the North Tempe borders. You’ve got over 35,000 cars a day filtering through here. When one lane goes down, the whole system feels like it’s ready to snap.
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Where to Actually Eat Around Here
If you’re stuck at McKellips and Mesa Dr and your stomach starts growling, you’ve got options, but they aren’t all created equal. Kinda depends on what you're after.
- Backyard Taco: This is the local legend. It’s a bit further south on University, but their influence reaches all the way up here. If you haven't had the carne al carbon, are you even living in Mesa? It’s simple, mesquite-grilled, and basically the gold standard for a quick lunch.
- Filiberto’s Mexican Food: Look, it’s a staple. Is it gourmet? No. Is it open 24/7 when you’re craving a California burrito at 2 AM after a long shift? Absolutely. It’s sitting right there on the corner, serving as a beacon of hope for the hungry and sleep-deprived.
- Barro’s Pizza: Just a short hop away. Their crust is that specific kind of thick and fluffy that feels like childhood. Plus, they do a lot for the community—every December, they usually do a "Barro’s Gives Back" day where they donate all proceeds to St. Mary’s Food Bank.
The "Hidden" Greenery
What most people get wrong about the area surrounding McKellips and Mesa Dr is thinking it’s all concrete and strip malls. It isn't.
If you head just a mile or two north, you enter the Lehi Sub-Area. This is a historic agricultural community that the city is desperately trying to preserve. You’ll see horses, massive pecan trees, and actual farms. It’s a total 180 from the high-traffic intersection just down the street. It’s where you go when you need to remember that Mesa used to be nothing but orchards and dirt roads.
Then there’s Desert Arroyo Park further east on McKellips. It’s 58 acres of "passive" park space, which is basically code for "we didn't put a bunch of noisy playground equipment everywhere." It’s got an outdoor classroom and trails that focus on the native desert landscape. If you need a break from the traffic at Mesa Drive, this is your escape hatch.
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Navigating the 2026 Real Estate Shift
Living near McKellips and Mesa Dr used to be the "affordable" option. That’s changing. Fast.
Investors have been eye-balling the older ranch-style homes in the 85201 and 85203 zip codes for the last three years. They’re flipping them into modern-industrial hybrids that feel a bit out of place next to the original 1970s builds. But hey, that's progress, right? The proximity to the Mesa Riverview shopping center and the Cubs Spring Training stadium (Sloan Park) makes this a prime spot for short-term rentals and young professionals who want to be "near" Scottsdale without paying Scottsdale prices.
Safety and Traffic: The Reality Check
We have to be real here—this isn't the quietest corner of the world. With the sheer volume of traffic, accidents are frequent. The Mesa Police Department often runs speed traps along McKellips because people treat it like a secondary freeway once they clear the light at Mesa Dr.
If you're commuting, my best advice is to avoid the intersection entirely between 4:30 PM and 6:00 PM. Use Brown Road to the south or the 202 to the north if you can. The utility work is scheduled to wrap up eventually, but in the meantime, it’s a bottleneck that will test your patience.
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Practical Steps for Locals and Visitors
If you find yourself frequently passing through or living near this junction, here’s how to handle it like a pro:
- Check the Mesa City Project Map: Before you head out, check the official City of Mesa "Engineering Projects" page. They update the lane closures for the McKellips Relief Sewer Project weekly. It can save you 15 minutes of idling.
- Support the Small Shops: The strip malls on the corners have some great "hole-in-the-wall" spots, from barber shops to small Asian grocers. They’re the ones feeling the pinch from the construction, so grab a coffee or a haircut while you’re in the area.
- Explore Lehi: Take a weekend morning to drive north on Mesa Dr into the Lehi area. It’s a completely different world and one of the last places in the Valley where you can see the original "citrus belt" heritage.
The intersection of McKellips and Mesa Dr might just look like another paved-over piece of the Phoenix metro, but it’s a living, breathing example of a city trying to balance its past with a very crowded future. Whether you're there for the tacos or just trying to survive the commute, it pays to know what's happening beneath the surface.
Actionable Insight: If you are a resident in the immediate area (within a 1-mile radius), ensure you have signed up for the City of Mesa’s digital alerts. These provide real-time updates on water shut-offs or overnight construction noise related to the ongoing sewer and utility upgrades through late 2026.