The Arizona Department of Transportation’s overpass and interchange project at Bell Road and Grand Avenue (U.S. Route 60) near Surprise has reached a milestone with the opening of a new 134th Avenue connection at Bell Road, just west of Dysart Road.

The new 134th Avenue curves north of Bell to offer an east-west connection to 134th Drive, the road previously used as the connection to area businesses.

Work to install concrete girders on support piers east and west of Grand Avenue continues over the next week.

Bell Road is scheduled to reopen by November, and the entire project, including ramps to and from Grand Avenue, is on track for completion next spring.

Overpass work will require Grand Avenue to be narrowed to one lane at times in both directions between Dysart and Litchfield roads, including overnight hours.

This week, crews also are scheduled to remove old pavement and sections of curb and gutter along the south side of Bell Road east of Grand Avenue.

While Bell Road is closed near Grand Avenue for bridge construction, access to local businesses will continue via detours along Dysart Road, Greenway Road and Litchfield Road.