Multiple drivers were seen traveling the wrong-way on L-202 westbound (Santan), attempting to use an on-ramp as an off-ramp to avoid backed up traffic.
Staff monitored Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) cameras, which showed multiple vehicles driving up the McClintock on-ramp, attempting to exit L-202 before Kyrene.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety said they did not know how many cars were traveling the wrong-way or if any drivers were cited.
ADOT addressed the wrong-way drivers in a tweet, stating "On-ramps are not for escaping traffic. These drivers, who didn't heed our many closure announcements, headed into the closure on L-202 WB Santan. Now they're putting other drivers at risk by driving wrong-way up the McClintock onramp. That's a Trooper turning them around."
This is not the first time drivers have used construction as an excuse to travel the wrong-way during freeway construction. On September 28, drivers reversed course to avoid the backup leading to a closure on I-10.
Westbound L-202 (Santan and South Mountain freeways) is closed between Kyrene Road and I-10 in Chandler until 4 p.m. on Saturday.
On-ramps are not for escaping traffic. These drivers, who didn't heed our many closure announcements, headed into the closure on L-202 WB Santan. Now they're putting other drivers at risk by driving wrong-way up the McClintock onramp. That's a Trooper turning them around. pic.twitter.com/y9pY7Rb8as
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) October 19, 2019