SE Valley Times

The intersection of Mill Avenue and University Drive in Tempe, Arizona, will be fully closed to all traffic from August 3 at midnight to August 7 at 4 a.m. for construction on the Downtown Mill Avenue Streetscape Project. Multiple detours will guide motorists during this period. Safety restrictions should be observed, and efforts will be made to minimize noise.

The project aims to enhance the streetscape from University Drive to Rio Salado Parkway. It marks the first renovation of its kind on Mill Avenue in approximately 40 years. The construction is divided into multiple phases, with the current phase focusing on the intersection of Mill Avenue and University Drive. Improvements include new paving, updated tree canopy, ADA-compliant curbs and ramps.

Detours are as follows:

- Westbound traffic on University Drive will be redirected at Rural Road.

- Eastbound traffic on University Drive will be redirected at Priest Drive.

- Northbound traffic on Mill Avenue will be redirected at Apache Boulevard/13th Street.

- Southbound traffic on Mill Avenue will be redirected at Rio Salado Parkway.

To access City Hall, use either the Priest Drive or Rural Road detours and turn onto Fifth Street.

Transit routes affected by the closure from August 3 through August 6 include:

- Route 30 (Eastbound): Detoured via Ash Avenue, Fifth Street, College Avenue back to University Drive.

- Route 30 (Westbound): Detoured via College Avenue, Fifth Street, Ash Avenue back to University Drive.

- Route 66 (Northbound): Detoured via Apache Boulevard/McAllister Avenue/Veterans Way to Tempe Transportation Center.

- Route 66 (Southbound): From Tempe Transportation Center via Veterans Way/McAllister Ave/Apache Blvd back to Mill Ave.

- Jupiter (Northbound): Via Apache Blvd/McAllister Ave/Veterans Way to Tempe Transportation Center.

- Jupiter (Southbound): From Tempe Transportation Center via Veterans Way/McAllister Ave/Apache Blvd back to College Ave.

- Mercury (Eastbound): From Tempe Transportation Center via Fifth St/College Ave back to University Dr.

- Venus Forward: From Tempe Transportation Center via Fifth St/Farmer Ave/10th St back to regular route.

- Venus Back: Via Farmer Ave/Fifth St back to Tempe Transportation Center.

Streetcar service will operate limited routes between Dorsey Lane/Apache Boulevard and Mill Avenue/Ninth Street during this period.

Businesses in downtown Tempe remain open with maintained access for residents. Visitors are encouraged to use parking garages and proceed on foot. Specific access details for some businesses include:

Chase Bank: Access off Ninth Street; exits can go both ways or south onto Mill Ave.

Omni Resort: Valet closed; access off Ninth Street and Mirabella Dr; exits routed east onto University Dr or Ninth St.

Jack-in-the Box/T-Mobile/Pita Jungle: Access maintained from Mill Ave and alley connection from University Dr.

For further information:

Mary Kate Nacke

marykate_nacke@tempe.gov

480-521-5002

Additional resources about homelessness, business issues, affordable housing, events, jobs can be found at tempe.gov.

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