Arizona Seeks Public Input on Central Phoenix Freeway Improvements Study

Arizona’s transportation planners are inviting the public to weigh in on the future of central Phoenix’s busiest freeways. On June 1, 2026, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) announced the start of the Central Phoenix Transportation Corridor Study, a long‑range planning effort conducted in partnership with the City of Phoenix and the Maricopa Association of Governments. The study covers the core Interstate 10 corridor between the Stack and the Split, Interstate 17 between the Durango Curve and the Stack, and U.S. 60 between the Split and Loop 101. These highways carry hundreds of thousands of drivers each day, and congestion, crash rates, and travel delays are rising as the Valley continues to grow.

According to ADOT, this is not a construction project but an exploratory study meant to identify potential improvements and gather community feedback before any design decisions are made. Early concepts under consideration include adding new general‑purpose lanes, building collector‑distributor roads to separate local and through traffic, converting shoulders to travel lanes, improving transit and high‑occupancy vehicle facilities, and enhancing bicycle and pedestrian connections. The agency emphasizes that there is no recommended alternative at this time; the goal is to study these ideas, evaluate their benefits and impacts, and understand what people who drive, bike, walk, or live near the corridor would like to see.

Public participation will shape the future of the project. ADOT has launched an online survey at CentralPhoenixStudy.com where drivers can share their experiences navigating the corridor, identify problem areas, and rank the proposed solutions. The survey remains open through June 30, 2026. Later this year, the department will host public meetings to discuss the study and gather additional comments. A draft environmental document is expected in 2027, and any potential construction would not begin until at least 2030.

By seeking input early, ADOT hopes to develop a balanced plan that reduces congestion and improves safety without creating undue impacts on neighborhoods. Residents and commuters are encouraged to participate and stay engaged as the study moves forward. More information, including links to the survey and meeting announcements, can be found on the Central Phoenix Transportation Corridor Study website.