TRAFFIC

Final repairs underway on US 60 in Tempe after water main break in May

Angela Cordoba Perez
Arizona Republic

Crews started the final repairs on U.S. 60 in Tempe on Sunday after a water transmission line burst in May, causing heavy flooding and damage to the freeway. 

The roadway was closed for more than two weeks between Loop 101 and Interstate 10 after the water main broke on May 7 near McClintock Drive. In May, crews had done concrete paving and lane striping work to reopen the freeway in both directions for drivers.

This week, they started working on repairing the pipe and replacing and removing paving and striping in the off-ramps that were also affected by the water main break. Workers will make preventative repairs on parts of the line south of the freeway. 

"Before, we got the freeway back to what it needed in order to have drivers on it. Now, we are actually repairing the water main," said Tempe spokesperson Kris Baxter-Ging.

Tempe officials were waiting on some parts and ensuring that they knew exactly what needed to be fixed to start the final repairs, which are expected to be finalized by the end of October. The total costs of the repairs won't be known until the work is finished, according to Baxter-Ging.

Some lanes of McClintock Drive near U.S. 60 had been closed since the water main broke, but as of Sunday all lanes were open.

There will be road restrictions in the area of U.S. 60 and McClintock Drive in Tempe until late October due to the final repairs on the water transmission line that burst in May.

Due to the final repairs, the following roads will have restrictions until late October:

  • The eastbound U.S. 60 ramp to southbound Loop 101 and the eastbound U.S. 60 off-ramp to McClintock Drive will be closed until about Oct. 28.
  • Northbound McClintock Drive lanes might have intermittent restrictions during the final pipe testing that is expected to occur between Oct. 19 and Oct. 28.

Baxter-Ging said people could detour by getting off at Rural Road, and if they want to get to Loop 101, they could get on at Baseline Road. She also said drivers could plan for a little extra time when driving through that area.

"We're working as quickly and safely as we can to restore everything. And we really appreciate the patience of the community as we finish the projects," Baxter-Ging said. 

Tempe also has plans underway for proactive checks on water transmission lines, according to Baxter-Ging. The pipe that burst in May was 50 years old and had been expected to last 75 years. 

Reach breaking news reporter Angela Cordoba Perez at Angela.CordobaPerez@Gannett.com or on Twitter @AngelaCordobaP.

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