From Thursday, March 19 through Sunday, March 22. For public safety, certain hiking trails are restricted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3rd and 5th Avenues Improvement Project - North of McDowell Road
This project involved bicycle and pedestrian improvements for Third and Fifth avenues north of McDowell Road. Making these types of improvements north of McDowell Road extended the bicycle and pedestrian improvements that were earlier completed on Third and Fifth avenues south of McDowell Road.
Phase IV_3rd Ave & McDowell
The 3rd Avenue and McDowell Road Intersection Improvement Project will connect downtown bike facilities with the newly opened bike lanes north of McDowell along the Sonoran Bikeway. The project includes dedicated northbound and southbound bike signals, along with a protected bike phase, creating a low stress route suitable for riders of all ages and abilities.
Additionally, the project will add a dedicated northbound to eastbound right turn lane to address congestion and queuing issues on the south leg of the intersection.
Construction began in February 2026 and is expected to be completed by April 2026.
The scope for the entire 3rd & 5th Avenue North design project included:
- A traffic analysis,
- An assessment to provide sidewalk connectivity,
- An assessment of minor area drainage concerns at three local streets,
- Traffic signal modifications at Thomas Road and McDowell Road, and
- The development of bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements.
Project location:
- Third Avenue between McDowell Road and Muhammad Ali Way (Edgemont Ave to Muhammad Ali Way will be part of a later phase)
- Fifth Avenue between McDowell Road and Thomas Road
Project schedule:
- Planning: Spring 2017 - Fall 2018
- Design: Fall 2019 - Fall 2023
- 5th Avenue - Construction is complete
- 3rd Avenue - Construction is complete
3rd Avenue Update
- 06-18-25 Construction Update for 3rd Ave & Encanto Blvd
- All driveway and utility relocations complete
- Final paving is complete
- Vertical concrete bike lane separation complete
- Striping for driving lanes complete
- Landscaping complete
- Installation of bike lane entrance safety features is complete
- Striping for bike lane complete
- New signage installation complete
5th Avenue Update
- 07-10-25 5th Ave Speed Hump Construction Notice
- 01-06-25 Paving Update for 5th Avenue
- 12-12-24 Paving Update for 5th Avenue
- 12-3-24 Paving Update for 5th Avenue
- Intersection upgrades completed
- Street light installation completed
- Landscape restoration complete
- Storm drain upgrades at Encanto Boulevard are complete
- Tree trimming near Encanto Boulevard is complete
- Pavement reconstruction from Vernon to Edgemont complete
- With pavement reconstruction, ADA ramp rework complete
- Pavement overlay for the entire project complete
- Vertical concrete bike lane separation complete
- Striping and signage complete
- Installation of bike lane/multi-use path entrance safety features complete
July 2021
October 2020
Project Update from the Desk of the Street Transportation Director
July 2020
Thank you to those who attended the Virtual Public Meeting and Project Update Meeting and provided input through the survey. We appreciate your involvement.
Presentation Materials from 7-30-2020
Watch the July 30, 2020 Project Update Virtual Meeting
Answers to Questions Submitted to Panelists during Virtual Meeting
November 2019
(Previously presented which guided city staff to the design above)
Shown below are the design concepts for 3rd and 5th avenues that were on display at the open house meeting held Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. These concepts were identified as part of the 3rd and 5th Avenues Mobility Assessment conducted in 2018 by the city of Phoenix in partnership with the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG).
Street Transportation Title VI and ADA Program
Title VI Notice to the Public and ADA Policy Statement
The City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department hereby gives notice that it is the agency's policy to assure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title II of The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. These federal statutes require that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program, activity or service the City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department administers. More information regarding the Title VI program can be found at Street Transportation Title VI and ADA Program or email STR Title VI Program.