Mesa road project will affect Queen Creek motorists

Mesa will soon begin work on a more than one-year project to widen Ellsworth Road that will have an impact on Queen Creek residents.

The project will add three lanes in each direction on Ellsworth Road between Ray and Germann roads, according to a town of Queen Creek press release.

Along with widening the road, the project also includes traffic signal upgrades, landscaping, signs and roadway striping.

Work is set to begin Thursday with crews conducting potholing activities at various locations from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. to identify the specific depth and location of underground utilities to minimize conflicts during construction, the release continued.

From 9 p.m. on Friday to 4 a.m. on Monday, the northbound and southbound lanes of Ellsworth Road will be closed to traffic at Willis/Pecos Road for crews to install utilities across Ellsworth.

Overnight, detour signs will be in place to direct travelers around the closed area. The road will be restored to normal travel during daytime hours.

The overall Ellsworth Road widening project will take place in three phases:

• Phase 1: Construction of Ellsworth Road northbound lanes
• Phase 2: Construction of Ellsworth Road southbound lanes
• Phase 3: Construction of center median modifications

Completion is expected in February 2027.

Starting on Jan. 5, crews will work on the northbound lanes of Ellsworth Road from Germann to Willis/Pecos roads. To accommodate this work, northbound Ellsworth Road will be reduced to one lane from south of Germann Road to Willis/Pecos Road.

Northbound restrictions will be in place 24/7. Southbound traffic should not be affected. As work is completed, crews will move northbound to the next segments.

During the Ellsworth Road widening project, motorists are encouraged to use alternative routes to access State Route 24 such as Signal Butte Road, Meridian Road and Ironwood Drive.