Honestly, if you've ever lived through a Phoenix summer, you know the only thing more relentless than the heat is the orange cone. It’s Tuesday, January 13, 2026, and the Valley's roadwork scene is, well, busy. You’re probably just trying to get to work or drop the kids off without staring at a brake light for forty minutes.
Most people assume road closures are just random acts of chaos. They aren't. They’re usually calculated moves by ADOT or the City of Phoenix to keep our crumbling infrastructure from actually, you know, crumbling. But knowing that doesn't make being late any easier.
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The Big One: North Loop 101 Nightly Headaches
If you’re up in the Northwest Valley, specifically around the Agua Fria, things are getting a little weird tonight. Starting at 9 p.m. this evening, January 13, both northbound and southbound 51st Avenue will be completely shut down right where it hits the Loop 101.
This isn't a permanent thing, thankfully. It’s part of the massive widening project that’s been chewing up the 101 for what feels like forever. They need to get in there and do some work without cars buzzing under them. They plan to have it open by 5 a.m. tomorrow, but we all know how "estimated" those times can be sometimes.
Your best bet? Basically, just use Beardsley Road. It acts as the frontage road there. You can hop off, take Beardsley to either 35th or 59th Avenues, and then circle back. It’s a detour, yeah, but it beats sitting at a dead end wondering why the GPS didn't warn you.
Road Closures in Phoenix Today: The Southeast Valley Shuffle
Switching gears to the East Valley, the Santan Freeway is having its own moment. The Loop 202 widening project is in full swing. If you’re heading east tonight, watch out for the Cooper Road entrance ramp.
That ramp is scheduled to close at 9 p.m. sharp tonight. It won't be back open until Thursday morning. It’s a bit of a localized pain, especially if you’re coming out of downtown Chandler or the tech corridor.
While we’re talking about the 202, don't forget the Dobson Road exit. That one is a long-term casualty. It’s closed for total reconstruction and won’t be back in the mix until March. If you usually exit there for Mesa Community College or the shopping centers, you've probably already figured out that Alma School or Price are your new best friends.
Sky Harbor and the Airport Loop
Flying out today? Or maybe you're the designated "pick up from the airport" person. Bless your soul.
Sky Harbor is currently a maze of "Outer Lane" closures. Eastbound Sky Harbor Boulevard, specifically the lanes on the north side of Terminal 3, are closing nightly. This starts at 10 p.m. and runs through 6 a.m. They're working on the new north concourse for Terminal 3, which is great for the future, but kinda annoying for right now.
Traffic is being pushed into the inner curb lanes. It gets tight. Honestly, if you can, just enter the airport from the east side. Or better yet, use the 44th Street Sky Train station. It saves you the headache of navigating the terminal loops entirely.
Why These Closures Keep Happening
You might be wondering why Phoenix feels like a perpetual construction site. It’s not just your imagination. The passage of Proposition 479 back in '24 really kicked things into overdrive. We’re seeing a massive influx of cash into the Regional Transportation Plan.
Projects like the Loop 303 widening near I-17 and the constant upgrades to the I-10 Broadway Curve are all part of a 20-year vision. It’s about capacity. With the way people are still moving here, our roads would be a literal parking lot by 2030 if they didn't do this work now.
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Survival Tips for the Phoenix Commute
Navigating road closures in phoenix today requires more than just a map. It requires a strategy.
- Trust the Apps, but Verify: Waze is usually on top of things, but ADOT’s own AZ511 app is the source of truth. If a lane is closed, they’re the ones who closed it.
- The 9 P.M. Rule: Most major restrictions in the Valley start at 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. If you're a night owl, check the alerts before you head out.
- Surface Street Backups: When the 101 or the 202 squeezes down, streets like Bell Road, Union Hills, and Ray Road become nightmares. Plan for an extra 15 minutes even if you aren't on the freeway.
Looking Past Today
If you're heading out of town toward the mountains or the desert, be aware that the state-level work doesn't stop at the city limits. State Route 83 down in Sonoita is starting pavement rehab today. US 60 between Superior and Miami is also seeing intermittent closures for the bridge replacement project.
It’s easy to get frustrated when you see the flashing arrows and the "Merge Left" signs. We've all been there. But staying informed is really the only way to keep your sanity in a city that’s growing as fast as Phoenix is.
Actionable Next Steps:
Before you head out for your evening commute or late-night errands, open the AZ511.gov interactive map. Check specifically for the Loop 101 and 51st Avenue area if you're in the North Valley. If your usual route involves the Loop 202 and Cooper Road, map out an alternate path through McQueen or Gilbert Road now to avoid the 9 p.m. rush of confused drivers.