From the Director: I-17 Improvement Project celebrates one-year construction anniversary

Congratulations to our I-17 Improvement Project team, which is celebrating one year since major construction began to add new general purpose lanes and flex lanes along the 23 miles from Anthem Way to Sunset Point. I drive this stretch of I-17 quite often and am excited to see firsthand the progress being made on this well-traveled highway.

In addition to the new lanes, the I-17 Improvement Project will widen 10 bridges and replace two other bridges. Once completed in 2025, this major project will help alleviate congestion and improve safety and traffic flow. 

This past year, the construction team has focused on controlled rock blasting and earthwork. The rock blasting is needed to make way for the general purpose and flex lanes. A total of 1.7 million cubic yards of material is being removed from the mountainsides. All the excavated material will go back into the project. The team has been flexible, doing much of this work on weeknights, to minimize traffic restrictions.

Flex lanes, or reversible lanes, are a new feature for Arizona’s highway system. They are designed to reduce congestion on I-17 during peak travel times. I encourage you to watch this animated video to familiarize yourself on how the flex lanes will operate.

I want all drivers to pay attention to the speed limit, which is 65 mph along the entire 23-mile construction zone. Be watchful of our crews working in the median or on the sides of the highway. I want everyone to stay safe while either working or traveling on I-17.

I look forward to watching the progress being made on this important stretch of Interstate 17, and I’ll be sure to share with you what was accomplished to mark the second-year anniversary.