If you’ve been sitting in traffic near the I-10 lately—and who hasn’t?—you’ve probably noticed the orange cones stretching across downtown Phoenix and down into Ahwatukee. It’s loud, it’s frustrating, and there’s always that faint, lingering smell of hot asphalt hanging in the air when you roll your window down. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is currently in the middle of a major push to overhaul several key cross streets, and frankly, it’s going to be a long year for commuters.
So, what are they actually doing out there? It’s a laundry list of improvements. They’re milling the old asphalt and laying down fresh stuff, while also reconstructing curb ramps and driveways to finally get them up to ADA standards. It feels like they’ve been at it forever, but the work also includes fixing pavement, adding new curbs and gutters, and even replacing sidewalk medians and tree grates. Or maybe it’s just me, but it feels like there’s always a new section of Seventh Street being blocked off.
Speaking of, the work is concentrated on Seventh Street between McDowell Road and Roosevelt Street. If you’re further south, you’ll also see crews tackling Elliot, Warner, and Ray roads, plus Chandler Boulevard, specifically on the western side of the I-10.
Construction kicked off back in January 2026, and according to the latest from Misryoum, we should expect to see this wrap up by fall 2026. That’s a long time to deal with daily lane restrictions. They are planning temporary closures for the westbound I-10 on- and off-ramps at Seventh Street, too. Actually, I should mention that eastbound Warner Road between the I-10 and 51st Street is restricted right now. It’s always best to check az511 or the project site before you head out, but who actually remembers to do that? I usually just end up stuck in it.
It’s just one of those things—the city has to grow, or at least keep from falling apart. It’s annoying, sure, but those ADA-compliant ramps are probably long overdue. Still, seeing those crews out there in the heat… well, it’s a necessary headache, I guess.