Understanding the Scale of Disruptions

The simultaneous occurrence of ASU's Homecoming and the Ironman Arizona triathlon presents an unprecedented traffic management challenge. ASU's festivities include a block party, parade, and football game on Saturday, while Sunday marks the final Ironman Arizona race after 21 years in the Valley.

Timeline Overview

• Friday evening (7 PM): Initial setup closures begin
• Saturday: Full ASU Homecoming event restrictions
• Sunday (5:30 AM - 6 PM): Ironman race day closures
• Monday (noon): Final closures lift

The closures will impact virtually every major corridor in Tempe, from the university core around Mill Avenue and University Drive to the extended Rio Salado Parkway course that hosts the triathlon. This represents one of the most comprehensive street closure events in the city's recent history.

Key Closure Zones and Timing

Four primary areas will experience the heaviest restrictions:

University Drive Corridor

The heart of ASU's campus will see sustained closures, with University Drive between College Avenue and Veterans Way closing Friday at 7 PM and remaining closed through Saturday afternoon.

Rio Salado Parkway

The backbone of the Ironman course faces the longest closure period, with the stretch between Ash and Mill avenues closed from 4 AM Friday until approximately noon Monday.

Mill Avenue District

As the main north-south route through central Tempe, Mill Avenue will experience rolling restrictions throughout both events, with particularly complex intersection controls during game day.

Loop 202 Connections

Multiple freeway access points will be affected, especially the Scottsdale Road interchange during football game hours.

ASU Homecoming Traffic Plan

Arizona State University's homecoming festivities begin Friday evening with setup closures at 7 PM and escalate through Saturday's full event schedule. The closure strategy reflects decades of experience managing game day traffic while accommodating one of the university's biggest celebration weekends.

Friday Evening Setup (7 PM Start)

The weekend begins with strategic closures designed to establish secure zones for Saturday's events:

• University Drive between College Avenue and Veterans Way closes in both directions
• Tenth Street east of Mill Avenue shuts down completely
• Myrtle Avenue south of University Drive becomes inaccessible

These early closures allow crews to install barriers, sound equipment, and staging areas for Saturday's parade and block party activities.

Saturday Game Day Restrictions

Saturday morning brings expanded closures at 10 PM Friday (technically early Saturday), creating a comprehensive closure network around the ASU campus:

Extended University Drive Closures

• University Drive between Mill Avenue and Rural Road closes completely
• All cross-street intersections at University Drive (Myrtle, Forest, College, McAllister, Veterans Way) shut down
• These closures remain until 3 PM Saturday

Game-Specific Timing (11 AM - Post-Game)

Starting at 11 AM Saturday, additional restrictions take effect lasting until one hour after the football game concludes:

• Eastbound Rio Salado Parkway between Ash and Mill avenues
• Complex Mill Avenue turning restrictions at University Drive
• Tenth Street access limitations with local traffic only

Peak Closure Period (Third Quarter Through Post-Game)

The most intensive restrictions activate during the third quarter of the football game and continue for one hour after the final whistle:

Major Arterial Impacts

• Southbound Scottsdale Road/Rural Road between Curry Road and Rio Salado Parkway
• Eastbound Gilbert Drive between Scottsdale Road and College Avenue
• Westbound Rio Salado Parkway between Karsten Golf Course and McClintock Drive
• Multiple campus-area streets creating a comprehensive closure zone

Freeway Access Restrictions

• Both westbound and eastbound SR-202 off-ramps onto Scottsdale Road close completely
• This forces all freeway traffic to use alternative exits at Rural Road or McClintock Drive

Final Ironman Arizona Closures

Sunday's Ironman Arizona represents more than just a race—it's the final chapter of a 21-year tradition that helped establish Tempe as a premier triathlon destination. The 140.6-mile swimming, biking, and running course requires extensive road closures to ensure athlete safety throughout the day-long event.

Historical Significance of the Final Race

After two decades, Ironman Arizona is being discontinued due to rapid development and construction along the traditional course route. The growth that once made Tempe an attractive host city has ultimately created logistical challenges that make the race unsustainable in its current format. This final running carries special emotional weight for athletes, spectators, and the local community.

Extended Rio Salado Closure Framework

The most significant impact comes from Rio Salado Parkway's closure between Ash and Mill avenues from 4 AM Friday through approximately noon Monday. This 4.5-day closure allows for:

• Extensive course setup and safety barrier installation
• Pre-race testing and equipment positioning
• Race day operations and athlete safety zones
• Post-race cleanup and infrastructure removal

This extended timeline reflects the complexity of hosting a world-class triathlon while minimizing disruption to the resumption of normal traffic patterns.

Sunday Race Day Restrictions (5:30 AM - 6 PM)

Race morning brings comprehensive closures across the entire course route:

Northern Tempe Impacts

• Northbound Ash Avenue from Third Street to Rio Salado Parkway
• Eastbound Rio Salado Parkway between Hardy and McClintock drives
• Single-lane restrictions on Rio Salado between McClintock and Alma School Road

Central Course Section

• Westbound Rio Salado Parkway between Mill Avenue and Priest Drive
• Complex Mill Avenue lane restrictions with mandatory turning movements
• Southbound Mill Avenue closures between Rolling Hills Golf Course and Third Street

Eastern Course Boundaries

• Southbound Scottsdale Road restrictions at Loop 202 with local access only
• All eastbound Loop 202 traffic at Scottsdale Road must turn north
• McClintock Drive intersection closures at Rio Salado Parkway

Alternative Routes and Workarounds

With major east-west and north-south corridors significantly restricted, successful weekend travel requires strategic route planning and realistic time expectations.

North-South Alternatives to Mill Avenue

For Downtown Phoenix to South Tempe:

• Primary Alternative: Use Loop 101 to Broadway Road, then east to destination
• Secondary Option: Rural Road north of University Drive (check closure windows)
• Emergency Route: 48th Street/Priest Drive corridor, though expect heavy congestion

For Scottsdale to Central Tempe:

• Best Option: Scottsdale Road to Curry Road, west to Rural Road or McClintock
• Weekend Special: Use Loop 101 to avoid central Tempe entirely
• Local Access: Hardy Drive offers limited north-south movement with restrictions

East-West Options Avoiding University Drive

• For Cross-Town Travel: Curry Road/Washington Street corridor
• Southern Alternative: Baseline Road to Guadalupe Road
• Freeway Option: Use Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway, but expect exit restrictions

Business District Access

• Apache Boulevard provides limited east-west movement north of campus
• Southern Avenue offers the most reliable east-west travel south of restrictions
• Broadway Road serves as the primary alternative for northern cross-town movement

Public Transportation Alternatives

Valley Metro has modified multiple bus routes and Tempe Streetcar service to accommodate the weekend's events. Key changes include:

• Route deviations around major closure zones
• Temporary stop relocations near the ASU campus
• Extended travel times due to detour routes
• Special event service to major destinations

Light Rail Considerations

The Valley Metro light rail continues operating but expect:

• Higher ridership due to driving difficulties
• Potential crowding at Tempe stations
• Extended walking distances from stations to final destinations

Rideshare and Taxi Strategy

• Pre-arrange pickup and drop-off locations away from closure zones
• Expect surge pricing during peak event times
• Consider walking to pickup points outside restricted areas

Planning Your Weekend Travel

Success during this historic weekend requires hour-by-hour awareness of changing conditions and realistic expectations about travel times.

Time-Based Travel Recommendations

• Friday Evening (7 PM - 11 PM):
  • Avoid University Drive corridor entirely
  • Use freeway routes for cross-town travel
  • Expect initial confusion as closures take effect
• Saturday Morning (8 AM - 11 AM):
  • Plan campus-area trips before 10 AM
  • Use eastern routes (McClintock, Rural Road) for north-south travel
  • Parking near events fills early—arrive before 9 AM
• Saturday Game Day (11 AM - Post-Game):
  • Avoid all central Tempe travel unless absolutely necessary
  • Use Loop 101/Loop 202 for any cross-valley movement
  • Plan 2-3 times normal travel duration
• Saturday Evening (Post-Game - 8 PM):
  • Expect heavy congestion as events conclude
  • Delayed closure lifting due to cleanup activities
  • Consider dining or entertainment to wait out initial exodus
• Sunday Race Day (5:30 AM - 6 PM):
  • Earliest departures (before 5:30 AM) offer best movement
  • Mid-day travel extremely limited in central Tempe
  • Evening rush hour compounds normal closure impacts

Essential Resources for Real-Time Updates

• KTAR Traffic Alerts: Text "TRAFFIC" to 620620 for immediate closure updates and alternative route suggestions.
• Official City Resources:
  • City of Tempe event closure pages
  • ASU Transportation updates
  • Ironman Arizona participant communications
• Navigation Apps:
  • Update route preferences to "avoid closures"
  • Enable real-time traffic notifications
  • Download offline maps as backup

Business and Resident Access Considerations

Local Business Access: Many businesses along affected corridors will remain open with special access provisions. However, expect:

• Significantly reduced foot traffic
• Delivery and vendor access restrictions
• Earlier or later operating hours to accommodate closures

Resident Access:

• Proof of residency may be required at certain checkpoints
• Plan essential errands before Friday evening or after Monday noon
• Consider staying local for the weekend to avoid travel complications

What to Expect Hour by Hour

Friday Evening Setup Period (7 PM - 11 PM)

Traffic patterns shift as initial closures take effect. University Drive becomes pedestrian-focused, while Mill Avenue handles increased load from diverted traffic. Expect 15-30 minute delays for cross-town travel.

Saturday Morning Escalation (6 AM - 11 AM)

Closure expansion creates the weekend's first major bottleneck. Parking fills rapidly near campus, with many attendees arriving via alternative transportation. Travel times double for most central Tempe routes.

Saturday Peak Impact (11 AM - Post-Game)

Maximum restriction period with virtually no through traffic possible in central Tempe. Emergency vehicles maintain access via predetermined routes. Non-essential travel should be postponed until evening.

Sunday Race Day Progression (5:30 AM - 6 PM)

Athletes begin the course early, with rolling closures following race progression. Swimming phase (Tempe Town Lake) creates initial restrictions, followed by cycling course impacts along Rio Salado, concluding with the running course through central Tempe and campus areas. For athletes preparing for similar events, proper hydration with electrolytes is essential for peak performance.

Monday Morning Recovery (6 AM - Noon)

Gradual reopening begins with non-course roads, followed by systematic lifting of Ironman-related restrictions. Normal traffic patterns resume by early afternoon, though residual congestion may persist.

Key Takeaways for Success

• Plan Extra Time: Any Tempe travel this weekend requires double or triple normal travel duration. Build significant buffers into your schedule.
• Consider Alternative Transportation: Walking, biking, rideshare, and public transit may prove more reliable than driving for many destinations. If you're cycling through the area, ensure you have a reliable GPS bike computer for navigation.
• Stay Informed: Real-time conditions change rapidly during major events. Monitor traffic apps and official communications throughout the weekend.
• Embrace the Historic Moment: This represents a unique convergence in Tempe's event history—the final Ironman Arizona coinciding with major university celebrations.

Action Steps for Weekend Success

1. Download and Configure Traffic Apps: Set up KTAR traffic alerts and update navigation app preferences to avoid closure areas
2. Plan Alternative Routes in Advance: Identify primary, secondary, and emergency routes for any essential travel
3. Adjust Weekend Plans: Consider postponing non-essential travel through affected areas or timing trips during lower-impact periods
4. Share Information: Alert family, colleagues, and visitors about the extensive closures and planning requirements

Looking Beyond This Weekend

While this marks the end of Ironman Arizona's 21-year run in Tempe, the city continues hosting major events requiring similar traffic coordination. The lessons learned from managing dual major events this weekend will inform future event planning and transportation management strategies.

The successful coordination of these closures demonstrates Tempe's capability to host world-class events while maintaining essential city functions. Future major events will benefit from the comprehensive planning and communication frameworks developed for this historic weekend. For those inspired by the Ironman experience, there are numerous other races across North America to explore.

Stay Connected: Sign up for KTAR traffic alerts and bookmark the city's event closure pages for future reference. As Tempe continues growing and hosting significant events, advance planning remains the key to successful navigation during special weekends like this one. Whether you're a spectator or aspiring triathlete, consider investing in quality GPS training watches to track your own fitness journey.