The Arizona Department of Transportation recently opened the $1.7 billion Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway in Maricopa County to traffic.
The 22-mile freeway, the state’s largest highway project, was completed three years ahead of schedule. It gives motorists an alternative to Interstate 10 through downtown Phoenix.
The project completes the Loop 101 and Loop 202 system. Approximately 117,000 vehicles will travel the route daily within the first year, and up to 190,000 vehicles are forecasted to travel the route daily by 2035.
The project included three travel lanes and a carpool lane in each direction, 40 bridges, and 15 interchanges, including the state’s first two interchanges using a diverging diamond configuration.
Over this year, additional work will be completed, including the 32nd Street interchange.
The project was a public-private partnership with Connect 202 Partners that resulted in more than $100 million in cost savings. Firm WSP USA was the lead designer.
Under the agreement, Connect 202 Partners will maintain the South Mountain Freeway for 30 years.
The firm consists of Ames Construction, Granite Construction Co. and Fluor Enterprises.
The Loop 202 project was completed using more than 120 subcontractors and suppliers and more than 5.5 million hours of work.