Crash and Fire Disrupt Traffic on Loop 202 Santan Freeway
A crash and car fire on Tuesday afternoon closed southbound lanes of the Loop 202 Santan freeway near Elliot Road, north of Mesa Gateway Airport in Phoenix. While some lanes have reopened, ADOT has not provided an estimated time for…
Phoenix, AZ, September 22, 2026 —
A significant traffic incident involving a crash and subsequent car fire caused extensive disruptions on Tuesday afternoon, leading to the closure of southbound lanes on the Loop 202 Santan Freeway. The incident occurred near the Elliot Road exit, situated north of Mesa Gateway Airport in Phoenix.
Authorities reported that the southbound lanes were fully closed following the crash and fire. Emergency crews responded to the scene to manage the situation, which impacted rush hour traffic. The exact cause of the crash and the sequence of events leading to the car fire were not immediately specified in initial reports.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) confirmed the lane closures and worked to manage traffic flow. While ADOT has since announced that some lanes have been reopened to traffic, an estimated time for the complete restoration of all southbound lanes has not yet been provided. Commuters have been advised to seek alternate routes and expect residual delays in the area.
Information regarding potential injuries or the extent of damage to vehicles involved was not immediately available. The contractor involved in any cleanup or repair work, as well as the specific duration of the closures, remains undetermined at this time. ADOT is expected to provide further updates as the situation develops and the freeway is fully cleared.
Story summarized from the original created by Mitchell Koch on www.azfamily.com, see more information here.
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