A public hearing Thursday will allow participants to learn more about and comment on a Draft Environmental Assessment on improvements proposed for 11 miles of Interstate 10 between the Interstate 17 “Split” interchange and the Loop 202 Santan Freeway.

The Arizona Department of Transportation recently published the Draft Environmental Assessment, which is available for review. Printed copies are available at locations listed on the study website.

The public hearing on the Draft Environmental Assessment is scheduled from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the DoubleTree Hotel, 2100 S. Priest Drive in Tempe. The hearing will include presentations at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., and members of ADOT’s study team will be available to answer questions.

Those attending will have an opportunity to review study maps, presentation boards and videos, observe presentations and make comments.

The Draft Environmental Assessment examines potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed improvements. In addition to attending the hearing, members of the public can review the document online or in person and provide input through Nov. 18.

I-10 in the Broadway Curve area is a key commerce corridor that has seen increasing traffic in recent years, especially during the morning and evening peak hours. In 2018, I-10 west of State Route 143 carried an average of more than 287,000 vehicles each day, making it one of the busiest sections of interstate freeway in Arizona.

Proposed improvements being studied include:

• Widening I-10 to six general purpose lanes and two HOV lanes between the Salt River Bridge and US 60
• Building a collector-distributor road system between Baseline Road and 40th Street to reduce the number of lane changes on the mainline and improve traffic flow
• Adding additional general purpose lanes on I-10 from US 60 to Ray Road and maintaining the HOV lane
• Modifying I-10 connections and replacing ramps, including new bridges at SR 143, Broadway Road and US 60 to improve traffic flow
• Adding up to three pedestrian facilities to connect communities

The study team also is evaluating the no-build option — the condition that would exist if ADOT did nothing, which also serves as a comparison.

Comments received previously and during the Draft Environmental Assessment period will be included in the Final Environmental Assessment.

If the study receives the necessary approval, construction could begin in early 2021 and could take up to four years to complete.

Editor's Note: Information from the Arizona Department of Transportation.