Progress is being made toward reconstruction on the U.S. 60 after a water main break closed down parts of the freeway this week. 

Work is being done on the damaged eastbound HOV lane at McClintock Drive, with concrete poured early today and more planned late Friday. The Arizona Department of Transportation anticipates the possibility of opening the eastbound lanes of U.S. 60 early next week, according to a news release from the city of Tempe. 

Reconstruction of the damaged westbound lanes at McClintock is being planned. More pavement was involved on that side of the freeway, so it is a larger job to remove the old and put in the new. Removal of the old surface is happening now. Specific plans will be released when they are available.

ADOT and the city are working closely together on all aspects of reconstruction work. In addition to city of Tempe staff, new construction, engineering and forensics specialists are assisting in the reconstruction process.

At this time, there is no information on the cause of Saturday’s water main break. The water line will be fully evaluated to determine possible causes, but the city will offer no speculation or premature conclusions about the cause. There are also no cost estimates associated with the reconstruction work.

ADOT’s partial closure of the McClintock Drive overpass spanning the U.S. 60 in Tempe remains in effect. One northbound lane and one southbound lane are open and the left turn lanes are closed. Drivers are encouraged to use other north-south routes and, when possible, avoid McClintock Drive between Southern Avenue and Baseline Road. There is not yet an estimate for the length of the overpass restrictions.

The overpass was briefly subject to a ‘soft’ closure by Tempe Police in order to alleviate traffic buildup in the area.

On Wednesday, ADOT called for the full closure of the overpass bridge out of an abundance of caution as ADOT structural engineers evaluated possible settling cracks in a few of the bridge column supports that are between the east and westbound lanes. This is part of the ongoing assessment of the effects of the recent water transmission line break.

Tempe’s transportation team is actively monitoring and adjusting signal timing citywide to keep traffic flowing as well as possible on Tempe streets. Tempe Police are assisting in managing traffic in the area.  

The pedestrian bridge spanning the freeway immediately east of the overpass is open.