Phoenix Sky Harbor has a new airport access wrinkle just as summer traffic builds. As of June 26, 2026, the airport says eastbound Buckeye Road traffic headed to eastbound Sky Harbor Boulevard is using a new roadway alignment on the west side of the airport while Taxiway Uniform construction continues.
The change is not a terminal closure. Sky Harbor says terminal access remains open, but drivers are moving through an active construction zone and should follow posted signs. The airport’s roadway restrictions page details the new west airport shift, and the airport’s Taxiway U project page explains why Sky Harbor Boulevard and Buckeye Road are being reworked for the new crossfield taxiway.
- Airport: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
- Start date: The west airport roadway shift begins at 6 a.m. Friday, June 26, 2026.
- Traveler impact: Eastbound Buckeye Road traffic headed to eastbound Sky Harbor Boulevard uses a new alignment.
- Access status: Terminal access remains open during the shift.
- Construction reason: The temporary roadway shift supports the Taxiway Uniform project.
- Use the airport’s current roadway restriction page before driving to PHX.
- Expect extra time if you approach the airport from the west or use Buckeye Road.
- Follow airport signs rather than a saved route if navigation directions conflict with temporary traffic control.
- Use the 24th Street or 44th Street PHX Sky Train stations for drop off or pickup if curb traffic looks heavy.
- Warn anyone picking you up that the west side alignment is changing, even though terminal access stays open.
- The new taxiway is meant to improve aircraft flow between north and south airfields, but the traveler pain comes first as road work continues.
- Terminal 3 area lane restrictions may still stack with the west airport shift.
- Roadway notices can change faster than airline schedules, so check the airport page again on travel day.
Is Phoenix Sky Harbor closing terminal access?
No. The airport says terminal access is maintained, but some roadway alignments and lane patterns are changing during construction.
What changes at PHX starting June 26?
Eastbound Buckeye Road traffic headed to eastbound Sky Harbor Boulevard uses a new roadway alignment starting at 6 a.m. June 26, 2026.
Why is the road changing?
The shift supports Taxiway Uniform construction, a project designed to connect the west end of the north and south runways and improve airfield flow.
What should drivers do?
Allow extra time, watch for posted airport signs, and consider using PHX Sky Train stations for pickup or drop off if terminal curb traffic is heavy.
Image: Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/59081381@N03/53440262697/
