ADOT opens HOV lane in north Phoenix

The last section of a new westbound Loop 101 high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane in north Phoenix opened to traffic Sunday night, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Following weekend work to remove the construction zone and add lane striping, crews opened the new westbound HOV lane between Seventh and 59th avenues late Sunday night.

The work completes a 30-mile stretch of the westbound and southbound Loop 101 HOV lane between State Rte. 51 in north Phoenix and I-10 in Goodyear.

Crews are scheduled to open remaining sections of the north- and eastbound Loop 101 HOV lane over the next few weekends to wrap up an accelerated $90 million project to add the Loop 101 carpool lanes in less than a year's time.

The project started in January. It is part of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ 20-year Regional Transportation Plan approved by voters in 2004.

HOV lanes are open to carpoolers, Valley metro buses, eligible alternate-fuel vehicles, motorcycles and emergency vehicles during weekday morning and afternoon rush hours (6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.). They are open to all vehicles during off-peak hours, including weekends.