The four soaring ramps composing the Loop 303/Interstate 10 interchange in the West Valley hauled their first glut of holiday traffic over the Labor Day weekend, reports Lesley Wright of The Arizona Republic.
ADOT still needs to build or improve Loop 303’s interchanges at Grand Avenue, El Mirage Road and, eventually, Interstate 17. Boosters considered the I-10 interchange as one of the most important factors to help Loop 303 live up to its promise as a major connector for people in west Phoenix, the West Valley and beyond.
Each day, more than 80,000 cars drive on I-10 near the interchange, and 18,000 of those cars use Loop 303, according to ADOT estimates. The 36-mile loop connects I-17 to I-10 after running through the West Valley. Now drivers can ease from one freeway to the other.
ADOT quietly allowed cars on the two remaining ramps nearly a week ago. It may take a while for longtime residents to believe the nearly 30-year project to build an outer loop in the West Valley is almost over.
