Construction is moving forward on major improvements to the Interstate 10 and Jackrabbit Trail interchange.
The Arizona Department of Transportation is leading the project with the city of Buckeye and the Maricopa Association of Governments. The long-planned improvements will increase traffic capacity and support continued growth across the West Valley.
Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn called the long-awaited project an investment in the city’s future. “These improvements are a major investment in Buckeye’s future and will make traveling through this area safer and more efficient for years to come.”
Phase 1 construction will begin this month and take approximately two years.
What Phase 1 includes
The first phase will reconstruct the existing I-10 interchange and add traffic signals to improve traffic movement.
First, crews will widen the interchange ramps and add turning lanes. Next, crews will remove and rebuild the existing I-10 bridges over Jackrabbit Trail. They will then expand Jackrabbit Trail to three lanes in each direction from south of McDowell Road to south of I-10.
The complete Phase 1 project area stretches from south of McDowell Road to north of Roosevelt Street. Crews expect to continue construction through 2028. Meanwhile, MAG’s fiscal year 2027 freeway program sets the project’s overall budget at approximately $176.26 million. That includes $105.46 million for construction and $58.5 million for right-of-way and utility work.
The program also lists $10.8 million for design and $1.5 million for preliminary work. The figures are presented in year-of-expenditure dollars. MAG lists the project as part of the first phase of the Proposition 479 freeway program.
The project is funded in part by Proposition 479. Maricopa County voters approved the dedicated half-cent transportation sales tax in 2024.
Initial traffic impacts expected to be limited
Most of the initial construction will take place around the flood-control channel west of Jackrabbit Trail. Because of that location, Buckeye officials expect limited traffic impacts during the first several months.
Currently, ADOT tentatively plans to close the I-10 ramps during the weekend of Sept. 12-13. By scheduling the closures on a weekend, officials hope to limit disruptions to schools and weekday commuters.
The dates remain tentative and could change because of weather, construction conditions or other factors. ADOT currently lists no active restrictions at the interchange.
However, drivers should prepare for changing traffic patterns as construction advances. As the project progresses, crews will restrict traffic while they rebuild bridges, widen ramps, and complete the new roadway configuration.
Residents can receive closure information by subscribing to ADOT’s project updates. Current construction information is available through ADOT.
Phase 2 extends improvements to Van Buren Street
Phase 2 will continue the widening south of the interchange.
Ultimately, the two phases will widen the north-south corridor between McDowell Road and Van Buren Street. As a result, the additional lanes and rebuilt interchange will improve access to I-10 and help accommodate increasing traffic volumes.
Verrado and Yuma work continues
The I-10 and Jackrabbit Trail project is separate from Buckeye’s ongoing reconstruction of the Verrado Way and Yuma Road intersection.
That $16 million city project includes additional travel lanes, drainage improvements and construction of the intersection’s ultimate configuration.
Buckeye officials said the work remains on schedule. Three crews are working to reopen the intersection as quickly as possible.
The city expects the intersection to be cleared for traffic in October. That would reopen Verrado Way and Yuma Road around the time heavier construction begins at I-10 and Jackrabbit Trail.
Drivers should slow down in construction zones, watch for workers ahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzV8VOTfaeMnd allow additional travel time. Buckeye maintains updates for both transportation projects on its project page.
Finally, watch the city’s video below for more information about the projects and construction schedule.
