Work on the sewer system improvements is nearing completion, and construction will transition to water system upgrades in late October 2026. Water line improvements will happen in two phases, the first phase will begin on Oct. 19, in the Thomas Road / Scottsdale Road intersection, and on Oct. 26, in the Thomas Road / 68^th St. intersection. The first phase of work is scheduled to be completed by Thanksgiving.

The second phase of work, in these same locations, is scheduled to start in April 2027 and will be complete in June 2027.

Both intersections will remain open during construction with occasional travel lanes and left turn restrictions to accommodate the work. Business access will be maintained throughout the project. Crews will work daytime hours, Monday – Friday. Traffic barricades will remain in place 24/7 to protect the work area. Night and weekend work will be scheduled, if needed.

The sewer and water projects are taking place prior to a roadway improvement project that will be constructed next summer to address pavement and maintenance issues on Thomas Road between 56th St. and 73rd St.

The sewer and water projects are the first steps in a larger, approximately $24.8 million capital improvement project that will reconstruct Thomas Road between 56th and 73rd streets. The corridor improvements will address long-term roadway maintenance needs while replacing and upgrading aging water and sewer infrastructure beneath the roadway.

Planned improvements include:

• Complete reconstruction of the roadway pavement.
• Construction of a new right-turn lane at Thomas Road and 68th St.
• Replacement of outdated traffic signals.
• Grading and drainage improvements.
• Installation of ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps.
• Restoration of lane striping to the current roadway configuration.

A geotechnical evaluation determined this section of Thomas Road has reached the point where full reconstruction is needed rather than additional maintenance.

Completing the underground utility work before reconstructing the roadway will avoid cutting into newly paved streets later, minimizing future construction impacts, extending the life of the new pavement and making efficient use of taxpayer resources.

The larger Thomas Road reconstruction project is funded primarily through Scottsdale's Transportation Sales Tax, with additional support from regional grants. The $2.5 million sewer improvements are funded separately through the city's Infrastructure Improvement Plan using development impact fees for the new sewer line and sewer utility rates for manhole rehabilitation.