According to a press release from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), drivers traveling westbound on Loop 101 in north Scottsdale will be using temporary bypass lanes beginning this week to allow for the construction of a new bridge. Commuters should also plan for a closure later this week to the eastbound lanes from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. on Monday as temporary lanes are being planned in that direction.

The project was previously announced by the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Council as part of an effort to improve traffic congestion in the North Valley. The $185 million plan includes the addition of one lane to the Loop 101 Pima Freeway in each direction between Interstate 17 in Phoenix and Pima Road in Scottsdale.

“In addition to the lanes they’ll also do some auxiliary lane improvements, some technological improvements to push traffic a little faster, a little easier,” John Bullen, transportation, economic and finance manager for MAG, told KTAR News last year.

Bullen also said the strong economy in the area is at least partially responsible for the significant increase in traffic around the region. “Our transportation model with all the job growth in the area and just increased commuters, we’ve really identified this as a corridor that we need to improve. We need to add lanes and be able to facilitate that additional capacity,” he said.

The entire project, which will include other improvements like rubberized asphalt overlay and drainage upgrades, is scheduled for completion in early 2021.