Copper thieves leave some Phoenix-area freeways in the dark
By Jamie Warren
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PHOENIX (KNXV) — Multiple viewers have contacted ABC15 about concerns over dark stretches of Phoenix-area freeways.
The Arizona Department of Transportation says in many of these cases, copper wire thefts are to blame.
ADOT told ABC15 it’s in the early stages of developing a program using sensors to detect power loss to freeway lights, hoping law enforcement can catch the thieves in the act.
In a statement, an ADOT spokesperson said, “At this time, we don’t have a recent total number of incidents. We can share that from January 2024 to March 2025, wire theft repair costs added up to more than $700,000.”
ADOT says they have made some repairs, like on the Loop 202 between 44th Street and the I-10.
The department says it anticipates an increased schedule of identified repair work starting in the new year, and it will take several months to complete.
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