No state highway closures scheduled over Memorial Day weekend

PHOENIX – Drivers heading out on Arizona road trips over Memorial Day weekend will not face any full highway construction closures. The Arizona Department of Transportation says travelers should plan ahead and allow extra time since heavier traffic is expected during peak travel times, especially on Friday and Monday.

No full construction or maintenance closures are planned on state highways, including Phoenix- and Tucson-area freeways, from Friday afternoon, May 22, to late Monday night, May 25.

Drivers should be prepared to slow down and merge safely when approaching and traveling through existing work zones. ADOT and other first responder agencies, including the Arizona Department of Public Safety and local police and fire departments, encourage drivers to buckle up and not speed.

Motorists also should be prepared for unscheduled highway closures due to crashes, disabled vehicles or other incidents such as wildfires. 

Be sure to prepare an emergency kit for your vehicle that includes extra drinking water. Other items to consider are blankets, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, extra batteries, a fully charged cellphone and charger, snacks, diapers if necessary and a small tool kit. 

Because delays are possible, don’t forget other important items such as prescription medications. A hat, sunglasses and umbrella – to help with rain or shade – also are good items to remember as the annual summer travel season gets underway. 

Be prepared for changing weather conditions, including blowing dust. More information about traveling in hot weather is available on the ADOT website. Other holiday weekend and summer travel safety recommendations include:

• Avoid distractions. Don’t text while driving. Eyes up, phones down.
• Check your vehicle, including tire pressure and engine fluid levels.
• Get some rest before traveling. Fatigue is a serious safety risk.
• Never drive while impaired. Buckle up and obey speed limits. 
• Arrange for a designated driver or ride service if necessary.
• If towing a trailer, secure chains so they are not dragging on pavement and creating sparks that might start a brush fire.
• Avoid stopping in areas with grasses and brush. Hot vehicle components could start a fire.

ADOT will have personnel ready to respond to incidents along highways over the holiday weekend. In addition to on-call statewide maintenance crews, the ADOT Incident Response Unit (IRU), sponsored by GEICO, patrols Phoenix-area freeways in Maricopa County from 4 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. The IRU operators assist state troopers as well as drivers in need of help. More information about ADOT IRU can be found on the ADOT website. 

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, the AZ511 app and by calling 511. ADOT also provides highway condition updates via its X/Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT.