The Arizona Department of Transportation's (ADOT) Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway project is moving along as the first interchange in Laveen is now taking shape. 

Crews have closed Elliot Road at 59th Avenue for work on the interchange which the ADOT says is extensive earthwork. Six large concrete piers have also been planted in what will be the median of the new freeway. According to the ADOT, the piers will support a 272-foot, two-span bridge to move Elliot Road traffic over the South Mountain Freeway. Also according to the ADOT, over 300,000 cubic yards of dirt has been moved to make bridge approaches and ramps. 

ADOT said later this month crews will set concrete girders on the piers to form the bridge, which is slated to open in March. After the bridge completion, plans call for paving the ramps and mainline freeway, signage, final striping and landscaping. 

The South Mountain Freeway, scheduled to open in late 2019, is designed to provide motorists a direct link between the East Valley and West Valley as well as an alternative route to Interstate 10 through Downtown Phoenix. The project which is part of a regional transportation plan, was approved in 1985 by Maricopa County voters in 1985 and in 2004. The freeway will complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system in the Valley.