PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation broke ground on the third phase of the Interstate 10 Wild Horse Pass project just south of Phoenix, aimed at increasing capacity and safety on the heavily traveled highway.
An Arizona Republic investigation found that the area is a hotspot for cross-median crashes.
In the third phase, crews will continue to widen I-10 to three lanes in each direction. The third phase encompasses 11 miles south of Phoenix and through the Gila River Indian Community.
Other elements included in the third phase are:
- Adding one HOV lane in both directions from Loop 202 to Riggs Road
- Reconstructing the interchanges at Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Riggs Road and Queen Creek Road/State Route 347
- Constructing a new interchange at Koli Road
- Installing overhead messaging boards, freeway cameras and wrong-way detection systems
People are also reading…
The 26-mile Wild Horse Pass project broke ground in 2024 with the first phase of construction, which will wrap up in November. The first phase included replacing the I-10 bridges over the Gila River.
The second phase of construction, widening I-10 from Gas Line Road to just north of Casa Grande, broke ground in January. Crews will also reconstruct the Pinal Avenue/State Route 387 interchange, construct a new interchange at Seed Farm Road, widen the Gas Line Road bridge over I-10 and remove the Dirk Lay Road bridge.
The entire project costs just under $1 billion, according to ADOT.
The third phase of construction stretches from Loop 202 to the Gila River.
But drivers will also see construction from Gas Line Road to just north of Casa Grande, as well as on the I-10 bridges over the Gila River.
Between 107,000 and 160,000 drivers are affected by construction on I-10 south of Loop 202, according to 2025 ADOT data.
Construction on the third phase will last until late 2029.
The first phase broke ground in 2024 and is expected to finish in November. The second phase broke ground in January and is expected to wrap up in summer of 2028.
The final phase is expected to begin sometime in 2027 or 2028 with construction taking around 18 months.
Closures are scheduled. Check az511.gov or the project website for further information.Â
