Are we there yet? When will the new lanes open on the I-17 Improvement Project?

It’s a question we get often on the I-17 Improvement Project – when will the new lanes from Anthem Way to Black Canyon City be done and open to traffic? 

We’re happy to hear that drivers are excited as they see the daily progress that’s being made! The new lanes may look like they are ready to be driven on, especially near the Anthem area, but there is still work to be done before drivers can start using them. 

Before the new lanes can open to traffic, the entire 15-mile stretch between Anthem Way and Black Canyon City needs to be completed to make sure traffic can flow safely through the corridor. Crews are still working adjacent to the existing lanes, so traffic may need to be shifted temporarily to accommodate that work. This Feb. 22 video takes you out to the work zone to give you an up-close look at the progress on the new lanes.

And finally, the four-part paving process needs to be completed along the entire 15-mile stretch, not just on the new lanes, but on the existing lanes as well. We explained the four-part paving process last year when the paving first started. 

Our crews are working as safely and efficiently as possible to complete the improvements on I-17. The new lanes between Anthem Way and Black Canyon City are expected to be open to the public later in 2024, with the eight miles of flex lanes, which will run from Black Canyon City to Sunset Point, scheduled to open in 2025. 

For more information on the I-17 Improvement Project, visit Improvingi17.com.