{{Short description|Freeway in the Phoenix metropolitan area in Arizona, United States}} {{Redirect2|Loop 202|Arizona Loop 202|other uses|List of highways numbered 202}} {{Use American English|date=March 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox road |state=AZ |type=SR |route=202 |map={{maplink-road|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Wikipedia KML/Arizona State Route 202}}}} |map_custom=yes |map_notes=Loop 202 highlighted in red |length_mi=77.66 |length_ref=<ref name="highway log">{{ADOT log|year=DLD|access-date=July 6, 2023}}</ref> |history=Fully completed in 2019 |established=1990 |terminus_a={{jct|state=AZ|I|10|SR|51}} in Phoenix |junction= *{{jct|state=AZ|AZ|143}} in Phoenix *{{jct|state=AZ|Loop|101}} in Mesa *{{jct|state=AZ|SR|87}} in Mesa *{{jct|state=AZ|US|60}} in Mesa *{{jct|state=AZ|SR|24}} in Mesa *{{jct|state=AZ|SR|87}} in Chandler *{{jct|state=AZ|Loop|101}} in Chandler *{{jct|state=AZ|I|10}} in Chandler |terminus_b={{jct|state=AZ|I|10}} in West Phoenix |counties=Maricopa |previous_type=AZ |previous_route=195 |next_type=AZ |next_route=210 }}
'''Arizona State Route 202''' ('''SR 202''') or '''Loop 202 (202L)''' is a semi-beltway circling the eastern and southern areas of the Phoenix metropolitan area in central Maricopa County, Arizona. It traverses the eastern end and the southern end of the city of Phoenix, in addition to the cities of Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, and Gilbert, and is a vital route in the metropolitan area freeway system. Loop 202 has three officially designated sections along its route; the '''Red Mountain Freeway''', the '''SanTan Freeway''', and the '''Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway''',<!--This is the official name of the SW portion of the route, as cited by news articles throughout (see below)--> also known as the ''South Mountain Freeway''. The Red Mountain Freeway runs from the Mini Stack Interchange with Interstate 10 (I-10) and State Route 51 (SR 51) in Phoenix to the SuperRedTan Interchange with U.S. Route 60 (US 60) in Mesa. The SanTan Freeway runs from there to an interchange with Interstate 10 (I-10) in Chandler. The Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway runs from there to I-10 in western Phoenix.
Loop 202 was created after different sections of freeway within the Phoenix metro were given the designation, with the first section designated in 1990. The SanTan Freeway was completed in 2006, while the Red Mountain Freeway section was completed in 2008. The Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway officially opened on December 21, 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Maryniak |first1=Paul |title=Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway opens |url=https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/congressman-ed-pastor-freeway-opens/article_64ab674e-242a-11ea-8afa-bf6a81ab65c3.html |access-date=January 4, 2020 |work=East Valley Tribune |publisher=Times Media Group |date=December 21, 2019}}</ref>
==Route description== <!--Route descriptions should be written in a present-day perspective. Any changes or significant events may be indicated in the History section.-->
thumb|left|Loop 202 at exit 13
Loop 202 begins as the Red Mountain Freeway at the Mini Stack, a four-level confluence with I-10 (Inner Loop) and SR 51 (Piestewa Freeway) in Central City, Phoenix. Heading eastward, the route passes through Eastern Phoenix and encounters partial interchanges with SR 143 (Hohokam Expressway) and Sky Harbor Blvd, both which provide motorists direct access to the Sky Harbor Airport. The freeway then skims the northern bank of the Salt River as it passes through Tempe with its downtown skyline visible across the Town Lake. It then crosses the river diagonally on a long bridge before encountering its first major junction with Loop 101 around milepost 9.5. At this point, Loop 202 enters the city of Mesa. It avoids the Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community lands and has a junction with SR 87. It also passes the Falcon Field and the adjunct Boeing Mesa Facility. Just shy of the Superstition Mountains, the freeway turns southward and serves the Mesa Community College and the Red Mountain District Park. At milepost 30, it encounters US 60 (Superstition Freeway) on the SuperRedTan Interchange. This segment features HOV lanes from the start of the route to University Drive, with ongoing plans to extend the lanes.
Past the interchange, Loop 202 becomes the SanTan Freeway. Near Eastmark, the route curves west and encounters the western terminus of SR 24 (Gateway Freeway). Simultaneously, Loop 202 provides access to the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and the ASU Polytechnic campus. The freeway enters Gilbert and serves the Santan Village shopping district and the Mercy Gilbert Hospital. Next, it passes through Chandler, serving the namesake airport and encountering SR 87 again about {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} south of the downtown area. At milepost 50, it has a second interchange with Loop 101, which terminates here, beside the Chandler Fashion Center mall. At milepost 55, Loop 202 has a full-on junction with I-10 by Pecos Park.<ref>{{cite map |url= http://www.azdot.gov/Highways/Valley_Freeways/Loop_202/Santan/index.asp |title= Project Map L202 |publisher= Arizona Department of Transportation |cartography= ADOT |access-date= February 2, 2008}}</ref> This section of Loop 202 has HOV lanes through I-10 out to Gilbert Road, also with long-term plans to extend the lanes eastward.
Continuing westward as the Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway (sometimes referred to as the South Mountain Freeway by locals), Loop 202 enters Phoenix as it follows the Pecos Road alignment between the gated communities of the Ahwatukee Foothills Village and the Gila River Indian Community. Near Komatke, the freeway curves northward and cuts through the western foothills of the South Mountain Preserve, with a direct interchange to a hotel and casino. The route passes through Laveen and crosses the Salt River again, which is the site of the future SR 30 junction. Loop 202 takes up the 59th Avenue alignment through the warehouse districts before finally terminating at milepost 78 with I-10 (Papago Freeway) about {{convert|6.5|mi|km}} west of Downtown Phoenix.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Breyer|first1=Joe|title=Right-of-Way Resolutions - Route Number: 218 |url=http://azhighwaydata.com/resolutions/?syear=&submit1=Submit&eyear=&crc=&rtnum=218|website=Arizona Highway Data|publisher=Works Consulting LLC|access-date=March 2, 2016}}</ref><ref name="google maps">{{google maps |url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/33.4617684,-112.0438644/33.4632517,-112.1899418/@33.4285439,-112.066743,10.68z/data=!4m24!4m23!1m20!3m4!1m2!1d-111.8738107!2d33.436379!3s0x872b0833634734f7:0x99ccf8bc28605607!3m4!1m2!1d-111.6438023!2d33.4335112!3s0x872bb0731e13c669:0x1c81b546116b9d1d!3m4!1m2!1d-112.1306986!2d33.2916051!3s0x872b1bc6c450dffd:0xd84e28202d1c5c57!3m4!1m2!1d-112.1851061!2d33.4617415!3s0x872b14545a0b0a81:0x5ec328dfa01e5784!1m0!3e0 |access-date=September 17, 2020}}</ref>
==History== thumb|right|100px|Old colored Arizona Loop 202 shield that has been phased out. The final section of the Red Mountain Freeway opened on July 21, 2008,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/07/08/20080708mr-freeway0709.html |title= Freeway opening scheduled for July 21 |work= The Arizona Republic |location= Phoenix, AZ |access-date= July 10, 2008}}</ref> thus marking the completion of the original Regional Freeway System as approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985 by Proposition 300.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.azdot.gov/Highways/Valley_Freeways/Loop_202/Red_Mountain/closures_restrictions01.asp |author= Staff |title= Loop 202 Power to University |publisher= Arizona Department of Transportation |access-date= February 2, 2008}}</ref> The portion of the Red Mountain Freeway west of the Pima/Price Freeways was formerly known as the "East Papago Freeway," and it was initially designated SR 217.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Breyer|first1=Joe|title=Right-of-Way Resolutions - Route Number: 217 |url=http://azhighwaydata.com/resolutions/?syear=&submit1=Submit&eyear=&crc=&rtnum=217&page=1|website=Arizona Highway Data|publisher=Works Consulting LLC|access-date=March 2, 2016}}</ref> The remainder of the Red Mountain Freeway was to be SR 216.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Breyer|first1=Joe|title=Right-of-Way Resolutions - Route Number: 216 |url=http://azhighwaydata.com/resolutions/?syear=&submit1=Submit&eyear=&crc=&rtnum=216|website=Arizona Highway Data|publisher=Works Consulting LLC|access-date=March 2, 2016}}</ref> In 2006, this portion of Loop 202 was used to portray a Saudi Arabian superhighway in the 2007 film, ''The Kingdom''. Filming also took place at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and the Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus. The city of Mesa received $40,000 for the use of the freeway from NBC Universal.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/0808mr-kingdom0811.html |title= Is that Loop 202? |work= The Arizona Republic |access-date= March 5, 2008}}</ref>
The SanTan Freeway was completed in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |author= Staff |url= http://www.azdot.gov/Highways/Valley_Freeways/Loop_202/Santan/index.asp |title= Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) |publisher= Arizona Department of Transportation |access-date= February 2, 2008}}</ref> This section of freeway was originally numbered as SR 220.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Breyer|first1=Joe|title=Right-of-Way Resolutions - Route Number: 220 |url=http://azhighwaydata.com/resolutions/?syear=&submit1=Submit&eyear=&crc=&rtnum=220|website=Arizona Highway Data|publisher=Works Consulting LLC|access-date=March 2, 2016}}</ref> It was given current designation on December 18, 1987, along with the East Papago and Red Mountain Freeway corridors and the portion of the SanTan Freeway east of Price Road. Between Price Road and the I-10 interchange, the freeway was to be part of {{nowrap|Loop 101}},<ref>{{cite web|last1=Breyer|first1=Joe|title=Right-of-Way Resolutions - Route Number: 101L|url=http://azhighwaydata.com/resolutions/?syear=&submit1=Submit&eyear=&crc=&rtnum=101L&page=4|website=Arizona Highway Data|publisher=Works Consulting LLC|access-date=March 2, 2016}}</ref> and is officially designated as such, even though maps and road signs show it as part of Loop 202.
The third and final leg of Loop 202, the Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway, named in honor of longtime U.S. Representative Ed Pastor (D-AZ), received final approval from the Federal Highway Administration on March 10, 2015, with construction completed at the end of 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/ahwatukee/adot-south-mountain-freeway-receives-final-federal-approval |title=ADOT: South Mountain Freeway receives final federal approval - ABC15 Arizona |access-date=2015-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312115119/http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/ahwatukee/adot-south-mountain-freeway-receives-final-federal-approval |archive-date=March 12, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/12-news/2015/03/11/12news-south-mountain-freeway-approved/24745891/ |title=ADOT given green light to construct new freeway |website=Azcentral.com |date=2015-03-10 |access-date=2017-04-17}}</ref> Initially, the freeway was officially named as the South Mountain Freeway during its conception and construction (and still colloquially known as such), but received its current official name on October 22, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fuenmayor|first=Alexa|title=New section of Loop 202 to be named after late Congressman Ed Pastor|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-traffic/2019/10/24/new-loop-202-section-named-after-late-congressman-ed-pastor/4086317002/|access-date=2020-11-06|website=The Arizona Republic|language=en-US}}</ref> The construction phase divided it into two distinct segments: the "eastern segment" that straddles the Ahwatukee-GRIC border and the "western segment" that parallels 59th Avenue through Laveen. Together, these segments form a {{convert|21.9|mi|adj=on}} bypass around Downtown Phoenix, linking the metropolitan area's southwestern and southeastern suburbs. The Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway was to be SR 218.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Breyer|first1=Joe|title=Right-of-Way Resolutions - Route Number: 202L |url=http://azhighwaydata.com/resolutions/?syear=&submit1=Submit&eyear=&crc=&rtnum=202L&page=4|website=Arizona Highway Data|publisher=Works Consulting LLC|access-date=March 2, 2016}}</ref> By July 19, 1991, it was renumbered as part of Loop 202.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Breyer|first1=Joe|title=Arizona DOT Right-of-Way Resolution 1991-07-A-056|url=http://azhighwaydata.com/resolutions/?resnum=1991-07-A-056|website=Arizona Highway Data|publisher=Works Consulting LLC|access-date=March 2, 2016}}</ref> A {{convert|6|mi|km|adj=on|spell=in}} stretch of Loop 202, between 40th Street and 17th Avenue, includes a {{convert|16|ft|m|adj=on}} wide shared-use path. The pathway is on the south side of the freeway and is also open to pedestrians and cyclists. The path was added because the former Pecos Road had been a popular cycling route for years.<ref>{{cite news|title=South Mountain Freeway to include a bike path in Ahwatukee|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/ahwatukee/2016/04/05/south-mountain-freeway-include-bike-path-ahwatukee/82495518/|last=Copolla|first=Chris|date=April 5, 2016|access-date=April 5, 2016|newspaper=The Arizona Republic}}</ref>
===Controversy=== The Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway was the most controversial<ref>{{cite web |author= Caitlin Cruz |url= https://www.azcentral.com/community/chandler/articles/20121003south-mountain-freeway-gila-river-landowners-pro-freeway-signatures.html |title= Gila River landowners' signatures back South Mountain Freeway |publisher= Arizona Republic |access-date= October 15, 2012}}</ref> segment of Loop 202. Construction was delayed due to tension between three groups: regional transportation planners, who insisted that the freeway was necessary to ensure smooth traffic flow in the coming decades;<ref name="azmag.gov">{{cite web |url=http://www.azmag.gov/Administration/News.asp?y=2012&i=304 |title=MAG News |website=Azmag.gov |date=2012-02-08 |access-date=2017-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402093302/http://www.azmag.gov/Administration/News.asp?y=2012&i=304 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> residents of the adjacent Ahwatukee community, who would have lost 120 homes to eminent domain depending on the road's final alignment; and leaders and residents of the adjoining Gila River Indigenous Community (GRIC), who have oscillated between opposing and supporting the freeway in recent years.<ref>{{cite web |author= Cathryn Creno |url= https://www.azcentral.com/community/ahwatukee/articles/2010/03/30/20100330south-mountain-freeway-homes.html |title= 184 homes in South Mountain Freeway path, planners say |publisher= Arizona Republic |access-date= October 15, 2012}}</ref>
The specific alignment of the freeway, initially referred to in 1983 as the "Southwest Loop Highway", was revised several times since 1985, when Maricopa County voters originally approved its construction as part of the regional highway network envisioned under Proposition 300.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.azmag.gov/Documents/MAG_2011-09-12_DRAFT-2011-Annual-Report-on-Prop-400.pdf |title=2011 Annual Report |website=Azmag.gov |access-date=2017-04-17}}</ref> In 1988, the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), the region's transportation planning agency, suggested an alignment of the freeway's western segment along 55th Avenue and an alignment of the eastern segment along Pecos Road.<ref name="azdot.gov">{{cite web|url=http://www.azdot.gov/valleyfreeways/Loop_202/South_Mountain/articles/PDF/121406AZRep.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-10-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053028/http://www.azdot.gov/valleyfreeways/Loop_202/South_Mountain/articles/PDF/121406AZRep.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> A federal study in 2001 required ADOT to reexamine those suggestions, and the task of recommending the final alignment fell to a Citizen's Advisory Team formed in 2002. In April 2006, that panel released their final recommendations to route the western portion of the freeway four miles further west to connect with Loop 101, and to reject the proposed alignment of the eastern portion along Pecos Road, suggesting that the latter be built on Gila River Indigenous Community land instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.azdot.gov/valleyfreeways/Loop_202/South_Mountain/articles/20060428p.htm |title=Central District Projects |website=Azdot.gov |access-date=2017-04-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.azdot.gov/valleyfreeways/Loop_202/South_Mountain/articles/20060426v.htm |title=Central District Projects |website=Azdot.gov |access-date=2017-04-17}}</ref> Two months later, ADOT overruled the panel's suggestion for the western segment and opted for the current 59th Avenue alignment instead.<ref name="azdot.gov" />
In February 2012, a non-binding referendum was held in the Gila River Indigenous Community on whether the eastern portion of the freeway should be built on community land several miles south of Pecos Road. Options in the referendum were to build on community land, off community land, or not at all. The "no build" option won a plurality of votes, receiving 720 votes out of a total 1,481 cast.<ref>{{cite web|last=Holstege |first=Sean |url=https://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/02/07/20120207gila-river-indian-appears-reject-south-mountain-freeway.html |title=Gila River tribe appears to reject South Mountain Freeway |website=Azcentral.com |date=2012-02-07 |access-date=2017-04-17}}</ref> MAG sent out a press release soon after making it clear that construction of the freeway would move forward as planned along the Pecos Road alignment.<ref name="azmag.gov" /> Expecting this outcome, MAG and ADOT had previously (in 2010) shrunk the freeway's footprint from 10 lanes to eight to minimize its impact on Ahwatukee.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.azdot.gov/valleyfreeways/Loop_202/South_Mountain/index.asp |title=Central District Projects |website=Azdot.gov |access-date=2017-04-17}}</ref> Fearing the worst possible outcome of the freeway being built without exits onto community land (as would be the case with the Pecos Road alignment), Gila River Indigenous Community residents quickly formulated plans for a new referendum that would exclude the "no build" option, leaving only "yes on Gila River or no on Gila River."<ref>{{cite web|last=Seligman |first=Allie |url=https://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2012/02/08/20120208tribal-vote-may-not-end-south-mountain-freeway-struggle.html |title=Tribal vote may not end South Mountain Freeway struggle |website=Azcentral.com |date=2012-02-08 |access-date=2017-04-17}}</ref> The tribal government rejected this proposal in July 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Holstege |first=Sean |url=https://www.azcentral.com/community/ahwatukee/articles/20130709no-new-tribal-vote-south-mountain-freeway.html |title=No new tribal vote on South Mountain Freeway |website=Azcentral.com |access-date=2017-04-17}}</ref>
As late as September 2013, the freeway still faced active opposition. A non-profit group called the Gila River Alliance for a Clean Environment filed a civil-rights complaint with ADOT in July, claiming the freeway would disproportionately and adversely affect tribe members. A freeway opposition group called Protecting Arizona's Resources and Children planned an environmental lawsuit.<ref>{{cite web|last=Holstege |first=Sean |url=https://www.azcentral.com/community/ahwatukee/articles/20130822south-mountain-freeway-impact-study.html |title=Feds: South Mountain Freeway impact study flawed |website=Azcentral.com |access-date=2017-04-17}}</ref> And the Environmental Protection Agency in August 2013 raised several objections to the state's 12-year, $21 million draft environmental impact statement that had deemed construction of the freeway to be more beneficial to the environment, by improving traffic flow and thus reducing pollution, than building no freeway at all. The EPA claimed that the statement contained overly optimistic traffic projections, did not sufficiently address air quality concerns, and could harm neighboring communities and environmental resources.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epa.gov/region9/nepa/letters/az/south-mountain-freeway-deis.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013050432/http://www.epa.gov/region9/nepa/letters/az/south-mountain-freeway-deis.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 13, 2013 |title=National Environmental Policy Act | US EPA |website=Epa.gov |date=January 29, 2013 |access-date=2017-04-17}}</ref>
By April 2017, ADOT had purchased {{convert|1387|acres}}, or 90% of the land needed for the freeway. While construction was underway in 2017 on both ends of the freeway segment, no work had occurred on a five-mile (8 km) center segment adjacent to South Mountain until a final decision was made by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. A ruling was released in mid-2018 in the action brought by the Gila River Indigenous Community.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Guzzom|first1=John|last2=Weil|first2=Karen|title=Construction Revs Up on P3 Freeway Project in Phoenix|work=Engineering News Record|date=May 29, 2017|page=12}}</ref> The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Gila River Indigenous Community's claims in December 2017.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2017/12/08/federal-court-rejects-latest-attempt-stop-south-mountain-freeway/936373001/ | title=Federal court rejects latest attempt to stop South Mountain Freeway |website=Azcentral.com | date=December 8, 2017 | access-date=April 6, 2018}}</ref>
===Construction=== In March 2015, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a Record of Decision approving the project and selecting a build alternative. ADOT immediately thereafter commenced right-of-way acquisition and the procurement of final design and construction services in the form of a design-build-maintain contractor or "developer." The developer will have been selected at the end of 2015 (actual date was a couple months after) and freeway construction will have begun in early 2016 (construction started later that same year), with the Chandler Boulevard extension project to facilitate local access beginning in summer 2015. However, new lawsuits in June 2015 from the group Protecting Arizona's Resources and Children, the Sierra Club, and the Gila River Indigenous Community threatened to delay the freeway's construction.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/ahwatukee/2015/05/19/phoenix-south-mountain-freeway-lawsuit-abri/27578365/ |title=Opponents sue to stop Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway |website=Azcentral.com |access-date=2017-04-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/ahwatukee/2015/06/30/gila-river-tribe-sues-prevent-mountain-freeway/29536065/ |title=Gila River tribe sues to prevent South Mountain Freeway |website=Azcentral.com |access-date=2017-04-17}}</ref>
On August 26, 2015, ADOT started demolition of the first houses along the route for the South Mountain Freeway (Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/ahwatukee/state-to-remove-homes-in-path-of-phoenix-freeway-expansion |title=State begins to remove homes in path of Phoenix freeway expansion - ABC15 Arizona |website=Abc15.com |date=2015-08-27 |access-date=2017-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829224320/http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/ahwatukee/state-to-remove-homes-in-path-of-phoenix-freeway-expansion |archive-date=August 29, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
On February 27, 2016, the contract to design, build, and maintain the freeway was awarded to Connect 202 Partners, a joint venture led by Fluor Corporation, with Fluor, Granite Construction, Ames Construction, and Parsons Brinckerhoff being responsible for the final design and construction, and with Fluor and DBi Services, LLC being responsible for maintenance for 30 years.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160229006708/en/Fluor-Led-Joint-Venture-Awarded-Loop-202-South | title=Fluor-Led Joint Venture Awarded Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway Project | work=Business Wire | date=February 29, 2016 | access-date=March 1, 2016}}</ref>
The first phase of construction of the South Mountain Freeway (Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway) began on September 19, 2016, with improvements to the I-10/Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) interchange.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.azdot.gov/media/News/news-release/2016/09/15/south-mountain-freeway-construction-scheduled-at-i-10-loop-202-interchange | title=South Mountain Freeway construction scheduled at I-10/Loop 202 interchange | work=Arizona Department of Transportation | date=September 15, 2016 | access-date=September 20, 2016}}</ref>
In early 2017, ADOT announced an updated design for the freeway, including Arizona's first diverging diamond interchanges at Desert Foothills Parkway and 17th Avenue; a reconfiguration near 51st Avenue that moved the freeway interchange to Estrella Drive in order to avoid a GRIC well; and a pedestrian bridge to connect the Del Rio subdivisions bisected by the freeway.<ref name="youtube">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGbgyeIEvRs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/oGbgyeIEvRs| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=South Mountain Freeway Flyover Visualization |publisher=ADOT (via YouTube) |date=March 15, 2017 |access-date=March 27, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.azfamily.com/story/34943478/new-south-mountain-freeway-to-utilize-diverging-diamond-interchange|work=AZFamily|date=March 17, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2017|first=Lindsey|last=Reiser|title=New South Mountain Freeway to utilize "diverging diamond interchange"}}</ref>
The freeway opened to traffic in late 2019 as originally planned, with construction being finalized in late 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Loop 202 (South Mountain Freeway) Project Homepage|url=http://azdot.gov/projects/phoenix-metro-area/loop-202-south-mountain-freeway|access-date=2017-04-17|website=Azdot.gov}}</ref> The {{convert|6|mi|km|adj=on|spell=in}} shared used path between 40th Street and 17th Avenue along the south side of the freeway and the 32nd Street interchange both opened to the general public on October 31, 2020.
The final part of Loop 202 to open was the diamond interchange with Lindsay Road (exit 43) on the SanTan Freeway section in Gilbert. Initially not a part of the existing freeway, the interchange was planned through a partnership with ADOT and the town government in order to provide direct access to the central business district and other surrounding businesses and neighborhoods. Construction on the interchange began in January 2021 and the interchange opened to traffic on September 15, 2022, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony.<ref name="exit 43">{{cite news |last1=Bradley |first1=Ben |title=New Loop 202 interchange at Lindsay Road in Gilbert opens Thursday |url=https://www.azfamily.com/2022/09/15/new-loop-202-interchange-lindsay-road-gilbert-opens-thursday/ |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=Arizona's Family |publisher=Gray Television |date=September 15, 2022}}</ref>
==Exit list== {{jcttop|exit|county=Maricopa|state=AZ|length_ref=<br /><ref name="highway log" /><ref name="google maps"/><ref>{{ADOT log|year=2013|access-date=July 6, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{google maps |url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/33.2916111,-111.9971874/33.291181,-112.117252/@33.2939722,-112.0808605,13.4z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0 |title=Pecos Road |access-date=January 16, 2016}}</ref>}} {{AZint|exit |location=Phoenix |lspan=8 |mile=0.00 |exit= |road={{jct|state=AZ|I|10|dir1=west|name1=Inner Loop|location1=Los Angeles}} |notes=Counterclockwise terminus; exit 147A on I-10 }} {{AZint|exit |mile=0.28 |exit=1A |type=incomplete |road={{jct|state=AZ|I|10|dir1=east|name1=Inner Loop|city1=Tucson|extra=airport}}<hr>{{jct|state=AZ|SR|51|dir1=north}} |notes=Mini Stack; serves Sky Harbor Airport; westbound exit and eastbound entrance; south end of SR 51 }} {{AZint|exit |mile=0.31 |exit=— |type=hov |road={{jct|state=AZ|I|10|dir1=west}} |notes=HOV interchange; westbound exit and eastbound entrance; exit 147C on {{nowrap|I-10}} }} {{AZint|exit |mile=0.75 |exit=1B |road=24th Street }} {{AZint|exit |mile=1.76 |exit=1C |road=32nd Street }} {{AZint|exit |mile=3.27 |exit=2 |road=40th Street / 44th Street }} {{AZint|exit |mile=3.51 |exit=3 |type=incomplete |road={{jct|state=AZ|SR|143|dir1=south|to2=to|road|Washington Street}}<hr>McDowell Road |notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance; exit 5 on SR 143; access to McDowell Road via SR 143 north }} {{AZint|exit |mile=4.37 |mile2=4.52 |exit=4 |road={{jctname|state=AZ|US-Hist|80|noshield=yes|name1=Van Buren Street|road|52nd Street}} }} {{AZint|exit |location=Tempe |lspan=3 |mile=5.35 |exit=5 |type=incomplete |road={{jct|state=AZ|SR|143|dir1=south|to1=yes|location1=Sky Harbor Airport|extra=airport}} |notes=Westbound exit and eastbound entrance; access via unsigned SR 202 Spur }} {{AZint|exit |mile=5.71 |mile2=6.37 |exit=6 |road=Priest Drive / Center Parkway }} {{AZint|exit |mile=7.73 |exit=7 |road=Scottsdale Road / Rural Road }} {{jctbridge|exit |location_special=Salt River |lspan=3 |mile=8.22 |bridge=West end of bridge }} {{AZint|exit |mile=8.70 |exit=8 |type=incomplete |road=McClintock Drive |notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance }} {{jctbridge|exit |mile=9.22 |bridge=East end of bridge }} {{AZint|exit |location=Mesa |lspan=26 |mile=9.66 |mile2=9.92 |exit=9 |road={{jct|state=AZ|Loop|101}} |notes=Exit 51 on Loop 101 }} {{AZint|exit |mile=11.07 |exit=10 |road=Dobson Road }} {{AZint|exit |mile=12.07 |exit=11 |road=Alma School Road }} {{AZint|exit |mile=12.73 |exit=12 |type=incomplete |road=McKellips Road |notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance }} {{AZint|exit |mile=13.23 |exit=13 |road={{jct|state=AZ|SR|87|name1=Country Club Drive|city1=Payson}} }} {{AZint|exit |mile=16.55 |mile2=18.10 |exit=16 |road=Gilbert Road / McDowell Road |notes=Signed as exit 17 westbound }} {{AZint|exit |mile=19.05 |exit=19 |road=Val Vista Drive }} {{AZint|exit |mile=20.07 |exit=20 |road=Greenfield Road }} {{AZint|exit |mile=21.08 |exit=21 |road={{jct|extra=airport}} Higley Road – Falcon Field Airport }} {{AZint|exit |mile=22.17 |exit=22 |road=Recker Road }} {{AZint|exit |mile=22.95 |exit=23A |type=incomplete |road=Power Road |notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance }} {{AZint|exit |mile=23.25|place=Cardinal direction change: Northern quadrant (west–east) / Eastern quadrant (north–south){{refn|group=lower-alpha|name=route|As indicated by guide signs on Power Road and McDowell Road First reassurance sign for "Loop 202 South" appears after Exit 23A.<ref name="google maps" />}}}} {{AZint|exit |mile=23.73 |exit=23B |type=incomplete |road=McDowell Road |notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance }} {{AZint|exit |mile=24.91 |exit=24 |road=McKellips Road }} {{AZint|exit |mile=26.39 |exit=26 |road=Brown Road }} {{AZint|exit |mile=27.86 |exit=27 |road={{jctname|state=AZ|road|University Drive|US-Hist|80|noshield=yes|name2=Apache Trail–Main Street}} |notes=Signed northbound as University Drive only }} {{AZint|exit |mile=28.92 |exit=28 |road={{jctname|state=AZ|road|Broadway Road|US-Hist|80|noshield=yes|name2=Main Street–Apache Trail}} |notes=Signed southbound as Broadway Road only }} {{AZint|exit |mile=30.42 |mile2=30.60 |mspan=2 |exit={{nowrap|30A-B}} |road={{jct|state=AZ|US|60|city1=Phoenix|city2=Globe}} |notes=SuperRedTan Interchange; signed as exits 30A (east) and 30B (west); exit 190 on US 60 }} {{AZint|exit |mile=none |type=trans |place=South end of Red Mountain Freeway<br>North end of SanTan Freeway }} {{AZint|exit |mile=31.01 |exit=31 |type=incomplete |road=Baseline Road |notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance }} {{AZint|exit |mile=32.05 |exit=32 |road=Guadalupe Road }} {{AZint|exit |mile=33.05 |exit=33 |road=Elliot Road }} {{AZint|exit |type=incomplete |mile=33.95<!--33.05+0.9--> |exit=34A |road={{jct|state=AZ|SR|24|dir1=east}} |notes=West end of SR 24; southbound exit and northbound entrance }} {{AZint|exit |mile=34.00|place=Cardinal direction change: Eastern quadrant (north–south) / Southern quadrant (west–east){{refn|group=lower-alpha|As indicated by overhead signs on SR 24 west. Signed as "east-west" around the Hawes Road interchange, while a reassurance marker on the eastbound on-ramp reads "North."<ref name="google maps" />}}}} {{AZint|exit |mile=34.15<!--33.05+1.1--> |mile2=34.85<!--33.05+1.8--> |exit=34B |road={{jct|extra=airport}} Hawes Road – Gateway Airport }} {{AZint|exit |type=incomplete |mile=35.25<!--33.05+2.2--> |exit=34A |road={{jct|state=AZ|SR|24|dir1=east}} |notes=West end of SR 24; eastbound exit and westbound entrance }} {{AZint|exit |location1=Mesa |location2=Gilbert |mile=36.55<!--33.05+3.5--> |exit=36 |road={{jct|extra=airport}} Power Road – Gateway Airport |notes=Also serves ASU Polytechnic Campus }} {{AZint|exit |location=Gilbert |lspan=5 |mile=38.55<!--33.05+5.5--> |exit=38 |road=Higley Road }} {{AZint|exit |mile=40.75<!--33.05+7.7--> |exit=40 |road=Williams Field Road |notes=Serves SanTan Village Mall and Power Center }} {{AZint|exit |mile=41.75<!--33.05+8.7--> |exit=41 |type=incomplete |road=Santan Village Parkway |notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance }} {{AZint|exit |mile=42.41 |exit=42 |road=Val Vista Drive |notes=Serves Mercy Gilbert Hospital }} {{AZint|exit |mile=43.54 |exit=43 |road=Lindsay Road |notes=Opened September 15, 2022<ref name="exit 43"/> }} {{AZint|exit |location1=Gilbert |location2=Chandler |mile=44.48 |exit=44 |road=Gilbert Road |notes=Serves Gilbert Crossroads Power Center }} {{AZint|exit |location=Chandler |lspan=10 |mile=45.48 |exit=45 |road={{jct|extra=airport}} Cooper Road – Chandler Airport }} {{AZint|exit |mile=46.48 |exit=46 |road=McQueen Road }} {{AZint|exit |mile=47.55 |exit=47 |road={{jct|state=AZ|SR|87|name1=Arizona Avenue}} |notes=Serves Downtown Chandler }} {{AZint|exit |mile=48.56 |exit=48 |road=Alma School Road }} {{AZint|exit |mile=49.56 |exit=49 |type=incomplete |road=Dobson Road |notes=Westbound exit and eastbound entrance }} {{AZint|exit |mile=50.58 |exit=50A |road={{jct|state=AZ|Loop|101|dir1=north|name1=Price Freeway}} |notes=Clockwise end of Loop 101; exits 61B-C on Loop 101 }} {{AZint|exit |mile=50.65 |exit=50B |road=Price Road |notes=Serves Chandler Fashion Center }} {{AZint|exit |mile=50.74 |exit=50C |type=hov |road={{jct|state=AZ|Loop|101|dir1=north}} |notes=Westbound exit and eastbound entrance via HOV lanes }} {{AZint|exit |mile=51.65 |exit=51 |type=incomplete |road=McClintock Drive / Chandler Village Drive |notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance }} {{AZint|exit |mile=53.65 |exit=53 |road=Kyrene Road |notes=Serves Gila River Resorts & Casinos-Lone Butte }} {{AZint|exit |location1=Chandler |location2=Phoenix |lspan=3 |mile=55.16 |mile2=55.30 |mspan=3 |exit=55A-B |road={{jct|state=AZ|I|10|city1=Tucson|city2=Phoenix}} |notes=Signed as exits 55A (west) and 55B (east); exits 161A–B on I-10 }} {{AZint|exit |mile=none |type=hov |exit=55C |road={{jct|state=AZ|I|10|dir1=west|name1=Maricopa Freeway}} |notes=HOV interchange; westbound exit and eastbound entrance; exit 161C on {{nowrap|I-10}} }} {{AZint|exit |type=trans |mile=none |place=West end of SanTan Freeway<br>East end of Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway }} {{AZint|exit |location=Phoenix |lspan=21 |mile=56.73 |exit=56 |road=40th Street |notes=Opened on September 7, 2019<ref>{{cite news |last1=Powell |first1=Kim |title=40th Street Interchange at Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway opens after 4 months of construction |url=https://www.azfamily.com/traffic/th-street-interchange-at-loop-south-mountain-freeway-opens-after/article_c57e0678-d135-11e9-ae2a-a347b6cdebea.html |access-date=November 21, 2019 |agency=azfamily.com |publisher=AZFamily |date=September 6, 2019}}</ref> }} {{AZint|exit |mile=57.74 |exit=57 |road=32nd Street |notes=Opened on October 31, 2020<ref name="32nd Street">{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=azfamily com News|title=Final piece of Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway opens|url=https://www.azfamily.com/traffic/final-piece-of-loop-202-south-mountain-freeway-opens/article_2ce06cd8-1ace-11eb-b92f-9782285bd87c.html|access-date=2020-11-06|website=AZFamily|language=en}}</ref> }} {{AZint|exit |mile=58.75 |exit=58 |road=24th Street |notes=Opened on November 18, 2019<ref name="fox10">{{cite news |last1=Rodewald |first1=Matt |author2=Fox 10 Staff |title=Half-Diverging Diamond Interchanges open on South Mountain Freeway |url=https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/half-diverging-diamond-interchanges-open-on-south-mountain-freeway |access-date=November 18, 2019 |work=KSAZ-TV |publisher=NW Communications of Phoenix, Inc. |date=November 18, 2019}}</ref> }} {{AZint|exit |mile=60.59 |exit=60 |road=Desert Foothills Parkway |notes=Half diverging diamond interchange; opened on November 18, 2019<ref name="fox10" /> }} {{AZint|exit |mile=62.52 |exit=62 |road=17th Avenue |notes=Half diverging diamond interchange; opened on November 18, 2019<ref name="fox10" /> }} {{AZint|exit |mile=64.70|place=Cardinal direction change: Southern quadrant (west–east) / Western quadrant (north–south){{refn|group=lower-alpha|As indicated by reassurance signs at 17th Avenue and Vee Quiva Way.<ref name="google maps" />}}}} {{AZint|exit |mile=66.75 |exit=66 |road=Vee Quiva Way |notes=Opened on December 22, 2019 formerly exit 67 }} {{AZint|exit |mile=68.44 |exit=68 |road=Estrella Drive |notes=Double roundabout interchange<ref name="youtube" /> }} {{AZint|exit |mile=69.69 |exit=69 |road=Elliot Road |notes=<ref name="youtube" /> }} {{AZint|exit |mile=70.72 |exit=70 |road=Dobbins Road |notes=<ref name="youtube" /> }} {{AZint|exit |mile=71.73 |exit=71 |road=Baseline Road |notes=<ref name="youtube" /> }} {{AZint|exit |mile=72.74 |exit=72 |road=Southern Avenue |notes= Future exit 72A }} {{AZint|exit |type=proposed |mile=73.00 |exit=72B |road={{jct|state=AZ|AZ|30|name1=Tres Rios Freeway}} |notes=Proposed interchange }} {{Jctbridge|exit|bridge=Bridge over the Salt River|mile=}} {{AZint|exit |mile=73.85 |exit=73 |road=Broadway Road |notes=<ref name="youtube" /> }} {{AZint|exit |mile=74.87 |exit=74 |road=Lower Buckeye Road |notes=Diamond interchange with 59th Avenue frontage roads<ref name="youtube" /> }} {{AZint|exit |mile=75.89 |exit=76 |road={{jctname|state=AZ|US-Hist|80|noshield=yes|name1=Buckeye Road}} |notes=Diamond interchange with 59th Avenue frontage roads<ref name="youtube" /> }} {{AZint|exit |mile=76.90 |exit=77 |type=incomplete |road=Van Buren Street |notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance with 59th Avenue frontage roads<ref name="youtube" /> }} {{AZint|exit |type=incomplete |mile=77.40 |mile2=77.66 |mspan=3 |exit=78A |road={{jct|state=AZ|I|10|dir1=west|name1=Papago Freeway|location1=Los Angeles}} |notes=Tri-stack interchange; exit 138 on I-10 }} {{AZint|exit |type=incomplete |mile=none |exit=78B |road={{jct|state=AZ|I|10|dir1=east|name1=Papago Freeway|city1=Phoenix}} |notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance; exit 138A on I-10 }} {{AZint|exit |type=hov |mile=none |road={{jct|state=AZ|I|10|dir1=east}} |notes=Clockwise terminus; HOV access only;<ref name="youtube" /> exit 138B on I-10 }} {{jctbtm|exit|keys=hov,incomplete,trans}}
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
==Spur route== {{Infobox road small |state=AZ |name=State Route 202 Spur |established=1993 |location=Phoenix–Tempe |length_mi=1.22 |length_ref=<ref name="2013 ADOT Highway Log">{{cite web |url=https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/2019/05/2013shslog.pdf |title=2013 ADOT Highway Log |author=Arizona Department of Transportation |author-link=Arizona Department of Transportation |accessdate=June 26, 2022|pages=565–566}}</ref> }}
{{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=right|frame-width=260|type=line|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Wikipedia KML/Arizona State Route 202 Spur}}|stroke-width=3|text=A map of the unsigned spur highlighted in red.|align=right}} '''State Route 202 Spur (Arizona Spur 202)''' is an unsigned state highway located in Phoenix. It begins at the Red Mountain Freeway (Loop 202) at exit 5. It continues west, intersecting the Hohokam Expressway (SR 143) and ends at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. This is an unsigned route, marked by westbound exit signs from Loop 202 as Sky Harbor Boulevard. The spur route was commissioned in 1993.<ref name="highway log" />
===Major intersections=== {{jcttop|unnum=yes|state=AZ|county=Maricopa|length_ref=<ref name="highway log" />}} {{AZint |location=Phoenix |lspan=4 |mile=1.22 |road={{jct|extra=airport}} Sky Harbor Boulevard – Sky Harbor Airport |notes=Continuation beyond western terminus}} {{AZint |type=incomplete |mile=1.20 |mile2=1.10 |mspan=3 |road=44th Street south<!--There are separate exits for 44th St. south and north, located at different points on this highway--> |notes=Former SR 153 (Sky Harbor Expressway); eastbound exit and westbound left entrance}} {{AZint |type=incomplete |mile=none |road=East Economy Lot, Cell Phone Lot |notes=Westbound left exit and eastbound left entrance}} {{AZint |type=incomplete |mile=none |road=44th Street north<!--See above note--> |notes=Former SR 153 (Sky Harbor Expressway); eastbound left exit and westbound entrance}} {{AZint |location1=Phoenix |location2=Tempe |mile=1.03 |type=incomplete |road={{jct|state=AZ|SR|143|dir1=south|I|10|to2=yes}} |notes=No exit ramps to SR 143 north; no eastbound entrance from SR 143 south; exits 3A-B on SR 143}} {{AZint |location=Tempe |lspan=2 |mile=0.30 |type=incomplete |road=Priest Drive / Center Parkway – Downtown Tempe |notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance}} {{AZint |mile=0.00 |road={{jct|state=AZ|Loop|202|nolink1=yes|dir1=east}} |notes=Eastern terminus; exit 5 on Loop 202}} {{jctbtm|keys=incomplete}}
==See also== * {{Portal-inline|U.S. roads}} * {{Portal-inline|Arizona}} * Roads and freeways in metropolitan Phoenix * Loop 101 * Loop 303 * Loop 505 * Public-private partnerships in the United States
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Attached KML|display=title,inline}} *[https://www.azdot.gov/projects/central-district-projects/loop-202-(south-mountain-freeway) Current ADOT information on the Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20051219003011/http://www.southmountainfreeway.com/southmtn/index.htm Archived late 2005 ADOT info on the South Mountain Freeway]
{{Authority control}}
202 202 Category:Transportation in Maricopa County, Arizona Category:Gilbert, Arizona Category:Transportation in Chandler, Arizona Category:Transportation in Mesa, Arizona Category:Transportation in Tempe, Arizona Category:Public–private partnership projects in the United States