Crews wrapped up work early Monday on road-widening work along Interstate 10 that state transportation officials said will improve commutes for drivers in Tempe, Chandler and other sections of the East Valley.

Workers have been on the job since last fall working to widen eastbound I-10 on the outside and paving and striping the roadway.

That work concluded Monday, Oct. 3, bringing the lane count on eastbound I-10 to five general purpose lanes, one HOV lane and an auxiliary lane between Baseline and Elliot roads. In addition, four general purpose lanes, an HOV lane and an auxiliary lane have been added from Elliot Road to the project’s southern boundary near Chandler Boulevard, according to ADOT.

The fifth lane between Baseline and Elliot roads will accommodate drivers who are merging onto eastbound I-10 from the US 60, officials said.

“Opening the new eastbound travel lanes early in the life of this massive project provides tremendous value to thousands of motorists. We are delighted we could make it happen and improve the afternoon and evening commute home for so many of our customers in Guadalupe, Tempe, Chandler and other areas of the Southeast Valley,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said.

“We know this project is highly impactful in other areas of I-10, the US 60 and State Route 143. Opening up new travel lanes is one way we’re striving to reduce the projects’ impacts for at least some motorists in the project area.”

Additional improvement work in this section of the Broadway Curve improvement project - such as widening both westbound I-10 and the Guadalupe Road bridge to improve the Sun Circle Trail - is continuing, officials said.

Crews will work behind concrete barriers, ADOT officials said, limiting the need for highway restrictions or closures. 

ADOT reminds drivers the maximum posted speed limit is 55 mph even when workers are not present.