Interstate 17: Indian School Road Traffic Interchange Study

This interchange is identified as a candidate for capacity improvements in the MAG "Interstate 10/Interstate 17 Corridor Master Plan" (also known as the Spine Study) which was finalized by MAG in 2017. Approximately 50,000 vehicles use east- and westbound Indian School Road at I-17 per day. This volume is 40 percent higher than on Thomas Road at I-17 (one mile south) and 25 percent higher than on Camelback Road at I-17 (one mile north). Traffic congestion levels on Indian School Road at I-17 are projected to continue increasing, and expected to reach unacceptable levels by 2040.

After evaluating options for interchanges in this location, the initial DCR identifies a new, three-level diamond interchange as the Recommended Build Alternative. If constructed, this interchange would include:

• A flyover bridge along Indian School Road to allow east-west through traffic to bypass the intersections at the I-17 ramps and frontage roads;
• New roadways approaching the flyover bridge with embankments and retaining walls;
• A reconstructed and widened Indian School Road to accommodate the flyover bridge and new approaches; and
• Two new pedestrian bridges – one north and one south of Indian School Road – to allow pedestrians to cross I-17 safely.

View three-dimensional photos on Flickr that illustrate what this interchange might look like if constructed.

The study team is also evaluating the No-Build (or “do nothing”) Alternative.