Work will begin Friday night to improve the surface along both directions of US 60 between Loops 101 and 102, requiring the eastbound lanes to be closed through the weekend.

Arizona Department of Transportation officials said the work will take place from 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 9. In addition to the eastbound lanes, all northbound and southbound Loop 101 ramps to eastbound and westbound US 60 will be closed, they said.

The $34.3 million project will include the removal of the top layer of older, worn rubberized asphalt during a scheduled series of weekend freeway closures and overnight weekday lane restrictions along US 60, according to ADOT. 

Crews will use the concrete pavement treatment known as diamond grinding on a 14-mile stretch of US 60, ADOT officials said.

That includes the section of US 60 between Gilbert and Greenfield roads, where worn rubberized asphalt has been removed. The pavement improvements along US 60 are scheduled for completion this summer, ADOT stated.

The diamond grinding treatment involves the use of specialized equipment to remove a thin layer of the concrete pavement while adding small grooves, providing a smoother ride and helping to limit tire noise, transportation officials said.