Avenue 3E closed beneath Interstate 8 this weekend

The stretch of Avenue 3E beneath Interstate 8 will again be closed starting Saturday morning as the interchange construction project proceeds.

The closure is scheduled to begin at 5 a.m. Saturday and continue through Monday at 5 a.m., according to Arizona Department of Transportation officials.

The eastbound on-ramp to I-8 will close at the same time but will remain closed through 5 a.m. March 29, said transportation officials.

The eastbound off-ramp from I-8 and the westbound on-and off-ramps will remain open. Avenue 3E will remain open on the north and south sides of I-8, although motorists will not be able to drive beneath the interstate.

The closures will allow temporary paving underneath the I-8 bridge and earthwork around the on-ramp.

Until the on-ramp reopens, the next closest on-ramps motorists can use to access the eastbound lanes of the interstate are at 16th Street and Avenue 7E.

For the past year, Meadow Valley Contractors of Phoenix have been rebuilding the interchange to handle mounting traffic congestion. The project involves building taller I-8 bridges, widening Avenue 3E and the interchange to accommodate two lanes in either direction plus a left-turn lane, and new traffic signals.

The two new bridges have been completed. Avenue 3E was previously closed last weekend to allow workers to tear down the old bridges.

The new interchange, being built at an estimated cost of $9.1 million, remains on schedule to be completed in August.

Anyone with questions about work can call the project hotline number at 1-800-290-3775.