AJ Law, PLC – Glendale 5800 W Glenn Dr. Suite 130 Glendale, AZ 85301 Open 24/7 (602) 512-1280
AJ Law, PLC – Bullhead City 2580 AZ-95 #108, Bullhead City, AZ 86442 Open 24/7 (602) 507-9901
AJ Law, PLC – Tucson 300 N Main Ave #102, Tucson, AZ 85701 Open 24/7 (602) 512-1933
As of April 2026, the Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) widening project has reached a critical phase between I-17 & 75th Avenue. While ADOT recently opened a new fourth westbound lane between I-17 and 51st Avenue to ease traffic, ongoing ramp closures and lane restrictions throughout the 6.5-mile project corridor have led to an uptick in lane-change and rear-end collisions. Under Arizona law, liability in construction zones can involve both distracted drivers and, in some cases, the contractors responsible for improper signage or road markings.
Phoenix drivers have likely noticed the progress on the $140 million Loop 101 widening. While a new westbound lane between I-17 and 51st Avenue recently opened, the “transition zones” where three lanes become four are becoming accident hotspots. Eastbound construction and staggered 60-day ramp closures at 67th Avenue, 59th Avenue, and other exits mean conditions are shifting week to week.
At AJ Law, PLC, we are seeing a trend of “phantom lane” accidents, where drivers follow old lane markings that haven’t been fully ground away, leading to sideswipe collisions. If you’ve been injured in the Northwest Valley construction zone, determining liability is complex. Was the driver speeding, or was the construction signage confusing?
3 Things to Do Immediately After a Construction Zone Crash in Phoenix:
- Capture the Signage: Take photos of the orange cones and “Lane Ends” signs. These are often moved or placed incorrectly.
- Identify the Contractor: ADOT manages the project, but private subcontractors often maintain the site conditions and signage day to day.
- Check for Camera Footage: Many sections of the Loop 101 now utilize ADOT’s traffic-monitoring cameras. Footage can be critical evidence and may not be retained for long.
