Tempe will close southbound Mill Avenue to traffic starting Sunday night from Rio Salado Parkway to Fifth Street, the beginning of a month of overnight closures.

Work on the Downtown Mill Avenue Refresh project will take place from 10 p.m. Sundays to 7 a.m. Fridays from Aug. 10 through Sept. 12.

“By closing the southbound lane to vehicles, median island work can be completed at a faster pace, getting significant work completed before many fall events take place,” city officials stated in a release.

Downtown Tempe Authority will provide free parking validation in select areas starting Aug. 10, offcials said. All parking garages will remain open.

East and west access across Mill Ave at Fifth, Third streets and Rio Salado Parkway will be maintained day and night. On Fourth and Second streets, east and west access will be prohibited for pedestrians and vehicles at night Sunday through Friday, according to the plan.

All northbound and southbound Mill Avenue traffic will be open during the day and on weekends. After 10 p.m., people will still be able to reach businesses on Mill Avenue between Rio Salado Parkway and Fifth Street by foot, transit, bike, scooter or wheelchair, officials said.

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