Continental off ramp to close in August

The northbound Interstate 19 off ramp at Continental Road will close for approximately eight months beginning in early August, according to the Pima County Department of Transportation.

The offramp will be shut down on Monday, Aug. 3, and is expected to reopen sometime in April, said PCDOT spokesperson Louis Gonzales at a meeting held Thursday in Green Valley.

This is the first step of a much-anticipated PCDOT and Pima Association of Governments project that will extend the east frontage road to Canoa Road. Preliminary construction began last week, and the 17-month project should be completed by winter 2010.

Starting Monday, a temporary sign will be placed near the Canoa rest stop warning drivers of the impeding closure of the offramp at Continental.

More signs will eventually be placed along the interstate to inform motorists of detours at Canoa Road and Esperanza Boulevard.

jrichardson@gvnews.com | 547-9726