I-17

I-17 pavement improvement project starts again south of Flagstaff

I-17 pavement improvement project starts again south of Flagstaff

I-17 101 traffic interchange

I-17 pavement improvement project starts again south of Flagstaff

I-17 pavement improvement project starts again south of Flagstaff

April 24, 2023

Lane restrictions needed as work resumes following winter shutdown

FLAGSTAFF – After a break due to the winter weather season, a project to repave and make other improvements along southbound Interstate 17 south of Flagstaff has resumed with lane restrictions starting today (Monday, April 24).

Drivers should expect lane restrictions in several areas while the pavement improvement work is underway over the next several months, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Southbound I-17 is currently narrowed to one lane around the clock in several locations between Flagstaff and the Munds Park area during the current stage of repaving.

ADOT recommends drivers allow extra travel time, especially during peak travel times. Motorists also should obey reduced speed limits and stay alert for workers and equipment in all work zones.

In all, the $35 million project, which started last year, will repave 29 miles of southbound I-17 between Flagstaff and the Coconino/Yavapai county line. The project also includes bridge repairs and improvements along shoulders and interchange ramps. Work is scheduled for completion by fall 2023.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov. ADOT also provides highway condition updates via its Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT.

Heavy Lifting: First girders installed on I-17 Improvement Project

Heavy Lifting: First girders installed on I-17 Improvement Project

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Heavy Lifting: First girders installed on I-17 Improvement Project

Heavy Lifting: First girders installed on I-17 Improvement Project

April 3, 2023

New River Road traffic interchange first to mark girder milestone

PHOENIX – Drivers who travel Interstate 17 between Anthem Way and Sunset Point will undoubtedly notice a very different scene, as construction along this 23 miles of scenic highway is well underway.

Before the road is widened and the flex lanes are added, there is significant bridge work that must take place. The New River Road traffic interchange at milepost 232 has been under construction, as the bridges on both the northbound and southbound sides need to be widened from two lanes in each direction to three lanes. Massive girders were recently installed on both bridges in order to support the bridge decks, or the actual roadway, that vehicles will travel over once the project is complete.

The girders were set during the overnight hours, which is when most of the work is completed for the Arizona Department of Transportation’s I-17 Improvement Project. Crews from the Kiewit-Fann Joint Venture developer team set nine girders on each bridge during a two-night operation. There are three sizes of girders, or beams, with the largest weighing about 45,000 pounds (22.5 tons) and the smallest weighing about 30,000 pounds (15 tons).

Setting the girders is a critical operation for the construction crews and one that requires several hours of careful work. Getting the girders hoisted up and then set into place requires significant coordination, safety precautions and quality control. Girder placement signifies the start of completing the bridges at the New River Road traffic interchange, which is a major milestone.

The New River Road traffic interchange bridges are the first two of 10 bridges that will be widened as part of the I-17 Improvement Project. These two bridges are expected to be fully completed by late summer. Three additional bridges are being fully constructed or replaced as part of this project.

More about the I-17 Improvement Project:

Once complete in 2025, the I-17 Improvement Project will help alleviate congestion and improve safety and traffic flow north of the metro Phoenix region. The 23 miles of improvements include 15 miles of roadway widening from Anthem Way to Black Canyon City. One travel lane will be added in each direction along this stretch. In addition, an eight-mile flex lane system will be constructed from Black Canyon City to Sunset Point. Flex lanes are a new feature for Arizona’s highway system and are proven technology to help reduce congestion on I-17 during peak travel times and allow for traffic movement during emergency situations.

The I-17 flex lanes will operate as a separate, two-lane roadway carrying one direction of traffic at a time depending on the greatest need along the steep, winding eight miles between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point. For example, the flex lanes will be able to carry heavy northbound traffic on a Friday or heavy southbound traffic on a Sunday. Similarly, ADOT will be able to open the flex lanes to accommodate traffic any time if a crash or other incident causes long delays.

The two flex lanes will be next to, but physically separated from southbound I-17 using concrete barriers. Access to the flex-lane entrances will be controlled by gates. Overhead message signs will alert drivers to the open direction of the flex lanes. The flex lanes will be operational seven days a week.

For more information about the I-17 Improvement Project, visit improvingi17.com, call 877.476.1717 or email [email protected].

Click on images to view enlarged.

New River -I-17 Bridge

New River project photos

New River project photos

New River project photos

ADOT to repave 29 miles of southbound I-17 near Flagstaff

ADOT to repave 29 miles of southbound I-17 near Flagstaff

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT to repave 29 miles of southbound I-17 near Flagstaff

ADOT to repave 29 miles of southbound I-17 near Flagstaff

June 14, 2022

FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation is starting a project to replace pavement on 29 miles of Interstate 17 south of Flagstaff in order to create a smooth driving surface and repair damage from winter weather.

The work will stretch from the I-40 interchange south to the Coconino County line at milepost 312. Crews will mill down the worn, rough pavement and replace it with new pavement. 

Drivers should expect southbound I-17 to be restricted to one lane around-the-clock in a couple of locations between Kachina Boulevard and south of Munds Park as work begins. Drivers should be prepared to slow down and proceed through the work zones with caution.

Crews will move to different locations as work is completed along the corridor. 

In addition to the travel lanes and shoulders, several on- and off-ramps and nine bridges within the project area will be repaved. The $34.9 million project is expected to last until summer of 2024 with stoppage in work during the winter.

ADOT completed pavement replacement work on the same stretch of I-17 in the northbound direction in the fall of 2019. 

For more information, visit azdot.gov/projects and click on the Northcentral District.

Teamwork makes protecting I-17 bridge decks work

Teamwork makes protecting I-17 bridge decks work

Teamwork makes protecting I-17 bridge decks work

Teamwork makes protecting I-17 bridge decks work

Kathy Cline/ADOT Communications
April 26, 2022

Crews installing reflective sheeting on I-17 bridge deckA truck striking the bottom of a lower-height bridge deck -- also commonly called an overpass -- can cause plenty of damage.

ADOT engineers had noticed that one problem area were I-17 overpasses in Phoenix. Trucks hitting overpasses at 19th Avenue, 16th Street and other locations were causing thousands of dollars in damage.

Enter the Central District and Regional Traffic Engineering teams. After exploring a few options, it was determined that a solution to this recurring issue was adding red-and-white reflective sheeting to the bottom decks of several I-17 bridges. This makes the bridge overpass stand out for trucks that don't meet the bridge clearance.

Sheeting was trimmed to fit the bottom edges of the bridges. Highway Operations team members installed the material on I-17 overpasses at 19th Avenue, Seventh Avenue, Seventh Street and 16th Street.

The team's ingenuity and perseverance paid off. Since the sheeting was installed last summer, there have been no bridge hits at those locations. Previously, overpass repairs at those locations totaled about $37,000 a year.

“The feedback so far has been very favorable regarding the visibility, cost and ease of installation,” said Highway Operations Superintendent Sean McHugh. “Based on this easier and lower cost process, standard work was created for low-height bridges that can be applied across the state.”

 

 

 

Advisory: Public meeting next week for I-17 Improvement Project

Advisory: Public meeting next week for I-17 Improvement Project

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Advisory: Public meeting next week for I-17 Improvement Project

Advisory: Public meeting next week for I-17 Improvement Project

April 19, 2022

PHOENIX – With construction set to begin later this year on Interstate 17 between Anthem Way and Sunset Point, the Arizona Department of Transportation is hosting its second public meeting to share information and answer questions. 

ADOT encourages everyone to participate to find out what to expect while work is underway through 2025, and how the improvements will help reduce congestion and enhance safety and traffic flow along this busy 23-mile stretch of highway north of Phoenix. 

Join the project team for an in-person open house at Canon Elementary School, 34630 School Loop Road in Black Canyon City, on Tuesday, April 26. The open house begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a presentation at 6 p.m. The open house will continue from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

For those who can’t make it to the public meeting, there is an online option to find out about the project and ask questions. The project’s virtual open house can be accessed via improvingi17.com/openhouse and has been live since March 31. This standing open house provides the same information as the March 31 virtual public meeting and the in-person meeting on April 26, but can be viewed at your convenience. It also provides opportunities to ask questions or submit comments. This option will be available through April 26. To date, more than 1,200 people have utilized the online open house.

Construction on the highly anticipated I-17 Improvement Project: Anthem Way to Sunset Point will begin later this year and is expected to take approximately three years to complete. Pre-construction work is currently underway. Once the major work officially begins, drivers can expect the entire 23 miles to be under construction at once and should plan their trips accordingly.

Once complete, this project will help alleviate congestion and improve safety and traffic flow north of the metro Phoenix region. The 23 miles of improvements include 15 miles of roadway widening from Anthem Way to Black Canyon City, two bridge replacements, one bridge deck replacement, 10 bridge widenings, and the installation of an approximately eight-mile flex lane system from Black Canyon City to Sunset Point. Flex lanes are a new feature for Arizona’s highway system and are proven technology to help reduce congestion on I-17 during peak travel times and allow for traffic movement during emergency situations.

The I-17 flex lanes will operate as a separate, two-lane roadway carrying one direction of traffic at a time depending on the greatest need along the steep, winding 8 miles between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point. For example, the flex lanes will be able to carry heavy northbound traffic on a Friday or heavy southbound traffic on a Sunday. Similarly, ADOT will be able to open the flex lanes to accommodate traffic any time if a crash or other incident causes long delays. The flex lanes will be next to, but physically separated from southbound I-17 using concrete barriers. Access to the flex-lane entrances will be controlled by gates.  

For more information about the I-17 public meetings or this project, visit improvingi17.com, call 877.476.1717 or email [email protected].

ADOT, NAU biologists work to protect endangered species while improving Verde River bridges

ADOT, NAU biologists work to protect endangered species while improving Verde River bridges

ADOT, NAU biologists work to protect endangered species while improving Verde River bridges

ADOT, NAU biologists work to protect endangered species while improving Verde River bridges

By Ryan Harding / ADOT Communications
April 4, 2022

As you drive through the Verde Valley on Interstate 17, you won’t notice any construction work as you cross over the Verde River. But down below the highway, crews are working in the river bed to reinforce the footings of the Verde River Bridges to prevent erosion.

But there’s more going on than just construction work. Because that work is taking place in an area that is home to several endangered species, including snakes, birds and fish, biology teams work alongside construction crews to find and relocate these species.

This team of biomonitors from Northern Arizona University is led by Dr. Erika Nowak, assistant research professor in the Center for Adaptable Western Landscapes and director of the NAU Gartersnake Research Program.

Their purpose is to ensure that these species are protected as best they can be, given the construction activities. These species include the northern Mexican gartersnake, birds such as the yellow-billed cuckoo and the southwestern willow flycatcher, and endangered fish like the razorback sucker and spikedace.

Specifically, the team trains construction workers and project team members on identifying these species and what to do if they come across one. They will also watch construction activity and help ensure that any species are safely removed out of harm’s way. 

Because the work is in the river bed, crews built earthen bypass channels to contain river flow so crews can work outside of the area safely. For this team, it means that the biomonitors will remove all fish from pools that need to be filled in and rescue fish stranded during river moving events.

So what does the biology team do with these captured creatures? The team will identify the species as well as photograph and measure them. The northern Mexican gartersnakes are microchipped. And then, they are released. Fish and amphibian tadpoles are released into the Verde River downstream of the construction area.

“The relocation distance varies, but it’s typically about 50-150 yards from the capture point. We don’t want to release the animals too far away, as moving them out of their home range can disrupt their behavior, cause them to become disoriented, and thus more likely to die,” Nowak said.

You can learn more about the NAU biology team led by Dr. Nowak and their research on northern Mexican gartersnakes here.

The project to protect the I-17 Verde River Bridge footings is set to be completed later this spring. Learn more about the project itself here.

ADOT to host two public meetings for I-17 Improvement Project

ADOT to host two public meetings for I-17 Improvement Project

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT to host two public meetings for I-17 Improvement Project

ADOT to host two public meetings for I-17 Improvement Project

March 22, 2022

With construction set to begin later this year on Interstate 17 between Anthem Way and Sunset Point, the Arizona Department of Transportation is hosting two public meetings to share information and answer questions. 

ADOT encourages everyone to participate to find out what to expect while work is underway through 2025, and how the improvements will help reduce congestion and enhance safety and traffic flow along this busy 23-mile stretch of highway north of Phoenix. 

Anyone can attend one or both meetings to learn more, provide input and ask questions. 

PARTICIPATE VIRTUALLY: A virtual public meeting is scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31. ADOT’s project team will provide an overview and answer questions from meeting participants. To join the meeting, visit http://www.improvingi17.com/ at 5:45 p.m. on March 31 and follow the link to the WebEx presentation.

PARTICIPATE IN PERSON: Join the project team for an open house at Canon Elementary School, 34630 School Loop Road in Black Canyon City, on Tuesday, April 26. The open house begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a presentation at 6 p.m. The open house will continue from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

For those who can’t make it to either meeting, there is a third option to find out about the project and ask questions. Beginning March 31 and continuing through April 26, anyone can walk through a virtual open house at http://www.improvingi17.com/. This standing open house via the project website will provide the same information as the virtual and in-person public meetings, but can be viewed at your convenience. There will still be opportunities to ask questions or make comments through this virtual open house.

Construction on the highly anticipated I-17 Improvement Project: Anthem Way to Sunset Point will begin later this year and is expected to take approximately three years to complete. Pre-construction work is currently underway. Once the major work officially begins, drivers can expect the entire 23 miles to be under construction at once and should plan their trips accordingly.

Once complete, this project will help alleviate congestion and improve safety and traffic flow north of the metro Phoenix region. The 23 miles of improvements include 15 miles of roadway widening from Anthem Way to Black Canyon City, two bridge replacements, one bridge deck replacement, 10 bridge widenings, and the installation of an approximately eight-mile flex lane system from Black Canyon City to Sunset Point. Flex lanes are a new feature for Arizona’s highway system and are proven technology to help reduce congestion on I-17 during peak travel times and allow for traffic movement during emergency situations.

The I-17 flex lanes will operate as a separate, two-lane roadway carrying one direction of traffic at a time depending on the greatest need along the steep, winding 8 miles between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point. For example, the flex lanes will be able to carry heavy northbound traffic on a Friday or heavy southbound traffic on a Sunday. Similarly, ADOT will be able to open the flex lanes to accommodate traffic any time if a crash or other incident causes long delays. The flex lanes will be next to, but physically separated from southbound I-17 using concrete barriers. Access to the flex-lane entrances will be controlled by gates.  

For more information about the I-17 public meetings or this project, visit http://www.improvingi17.com/, call 877.476.1717 or email [email protected].

1,000 cubic yards of concrete poured for new Broadway Road bridge

1,000 cubic yards of concrete poured for new Broadway Road bridge

I-17 101 traffic interchange

1,000 cubic yards of concrete poured for new Broadway Road bridge

1,000 cubic yards of concrete poured for new Broadway Road bridge

January 25, 2022

What takes 11 hours to empty, weighs just over 2,000 tons and can cover a football field half a foot deep? It's the 1,000 cubic yards of concrete that was poured over the weekend in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Transportation's Interstate 10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project.

On Saturday, I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project crews completed a critical step for the foundation that will support the new Broadway Road bridge that is being constructed over I-10. They poured 1,000 cubic yards of concrete to create what is called a “bridge footing.” This footing is a large concrete slab that will play an important role in the support and distribution of weight for the new bridge. 

The new bridge over I-10 is one of several bridges being replaced or widened as part of the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project. Crews will take down the existing Broadway Road bridge after the new one is completed later on in the project. 

For more information on the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project, visit https://i10broadwaycurve.com/  

To see video of the concrete pour: https://vimeo.com/669560984

I-17 Improvement Project advances with developer agreement

I-17 Improvement Project advances with developer agreement

I-17 101 traffic interchange

I-17 Improvement Project advances with developer agreement

I-17 Improvement Project advances with developer agreement

October 28, 2021

The Arizona Department of Transportation has signed an agreement with the developer team that will design, build, operate and maintain the Interstate 17 Improvement Project from Anthem Way to Sunset Point. 

The total project cost is $445,940,000, which includes the construction cost by the developer team, along with ADOT’s cost to administer the project. 

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2022 and is expected to take approximately three years. Now that the contract is signed, work can begin on this highly anticipated project that will include 15 miles of widening from Anthem Way to Black Canyon City and eight miles of flex lanes from Black Canyon City to Sunset Point.

The developer team is Kiewit-Fann Joint Venture. Key members of the team include Kiewit Infrastructure West Co.; Fann Contracting Inc.; Kiewit Engineering Group Inc.; DBI Services LLC; CONSOR Engineers LLC dba Apex Design; T.Y. Lin International; Lee Engineering; Terracon Consultants Inc.; Wheat Design Group, Inc.; Y2K Engineering; and Pinyon Environmental Inc.

The KFJV developer team was selected over two other finalists after an extensive review by ADOT with oversight from representatives from the Federal Highway Administration and the Maricopa Association of Governments. All three developer team finalists were encouraged to use innovation and develop alternative concepts to reduce project time and impacts to the traveling public and community while construction is underway.

Interstate 17 between Anthem Way and Sunset Point is a major stretch of highway that sees more than one million travelers every year. Because much of that travel and congestion occur on weekends, ADOT and the KFJV developer team will limit most of the lane closures to weeknights from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. All motorists still need to be cautious and alert in the construction zone, which will be active seven days a week. 

Once complete, the I-17 Improvement Project will help alleviate congestion and improve safety and traffic flow north of the metro-Phoenix region. This project will improve 23 miles of I-17, including 15 miles of roadway widening, two bridge replacements, one bridge deck replacement, 10 bridge widenings, and the installation of an eight-mile flex lane system—a new feature  for Arizona’s highway system. Flex lanes are proven technology to help reduce congestion on I-17 during peak travel times and allow for traffic movement during emergency situations. 

The I-17 flex lanes will operate as a separate, two-lane roadway carrying one direction of traffic at a time depending on the greatest need along the steep, winding eight miles between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point. For example, the flex lanes will be able to carry heavy northbound traffic on a Friday or heavy southbound traffic on a Sunday. Similarly, ADOT will be able to open the flex lanes to accommodate traffic any time if a crash or other incident causes long delays. The flex lanes will be next to, but physically separated from southbound I-17 using concrete barriers. Access to the flex-lane entrances will be controlled by gates.   

In February, Governor Ducey announced $40 million in funding for the I-17 Improvement Project from higher-than-anticipated revenue amid Arizona’s strong economic recovery and federal COVID-relief funds. Additional project funding sources include:

$130 million of state highway funds appropriated by the state legislature in 2019

$90 million from an Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant

$50 million programmed by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) for the Maricopa County portion of this project

$135.9 million from federal aid with matching state highway funds. That includes $83.6 million approved by the Arizona State Transportation Board on Oct. 15, clearing the way for construction to begin in 2022. 

For more information about the I-17 Improvement Project, visit azdot.gov/i17-anthem-way-to-sunset-point

 

ADOT starting project to protect I-17 Verde River bridge footings

ADOT starting project to protect I-17 Verde River bridge footings

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT starting project to protect I-17 Verde River bridge footings

ADOT starting project to protect I-17 Verde River bridge footings

October 20, 2021

CAMP VERDE – An Arizona Department of Transportation project to improve the Verde River bridges on I-17 near Camp Verde is underway to add capping to the bridge footings in the river bed to prevent erosion, protecting vital infrastructure on the primary route between Phoenix and Flagstaff. 

The work utilizes a method to channel river flow through the work zone by constructing a temporary “earthen bypass channel” to contain the river flow so crews can safely work outside of the area placing concrete caps over the footings of the Verde River bridges.

The channel is 60 feet wide and designed to handle the normal river flow of the Verde River. The channeling of the Verde River will occur in two phases as crews work on the 12 total bridge footings.

In order to protect wildlife, ADOT has teamed up with biologists from Northern Arizona University who are onsite anytime crews are working. One biologist recently found a northern Mexican gartersnake, an endangered species, and safely relocated the reptile. In addition all project personnel onsite had to take a training class on the endangered species in the area.

There will be no impacts to traffic on I-17 while work is occurring. River users, however, will be required to exit the river and go around the project site.

The project is anticipated to be completed by spring 2022.

For more information, visit azdot.gov/projects and click on the Northcentral District.