Interstate 17

Traveler Alert: I-17 rolling closures happening tonight for emergency APS work

Traveler Alert: I-17 rolling closures happening tonight for emergency APS work

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Traveler Alert: I-17 rolling closures happening tonight for emergency APS work

Traveler Alert: I-17 rolling closures happening tonight for emergency APS work

December 16, 2023

Intermittent rolling closures scheduled from midnight Dec. 16 to 4 a.m. Dec. 17

 

PHOENIX – Drivers traveling along Interstate 17 during the overnight hours need to be aware of rolling closures in both directions in the Black Canyon City area starting tonight at midnight. 

The Arizona Department of Transportation is working with Arizona Public Service to schedule these emergency repairs due to a downed power line in the I-17 Improvement Project construction zone on Dec. 14. 

The 30-minute intermittent rolling closures will begin at midnight tonight, Dec. 16, and are expected to last until 4 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. The closures will affect both northbound and southbound traffic at milepost 243 near Coldwater Road in Black Canyon City. 

Drivers should expect delays during midnight to 4 a.m. in this area. For the latest information on highway closures and conditions, visit az511.com. 

 

 

Federal grant will fund I-17 wildlife overpass near Flagstaff

Federal grant will fund I-17 wildlife overpass near Flagstaff

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Federal grant will fund I-17 wildlife overpass near Flagstaff

Federal grant will fund I-17 wildlife overpass near Flagstaff

December 4, 2023

Award of $24 million comes from Federal Highway Administration

PHOENIX – The Federal Highway Administration has awarded Arizona a $24 million grant for a wildlife overpass and other improvements designed to reduce crashes involving wildlife and better connect habitats along Interstate 17 south of Flagstaff in northern Arizona. 

The Arizona Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, sought the grant through FHWA’s Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program for improvements along 8.4 miles of I-17 between the Munds Park traffic interchange, about 25 miles south of Flagstaff, and the Kelly Canyon traffic interchange to the north. 

“I am grateful to the Federal Highway Administration for supporting Arizona’s commitment to protecting its residents, visitors and wildlife,” Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs said. “Many drivers use I-17 as a gateway to some of Arizona’s most popular treasures, including the Grand Canyon. While helping keep those travelers safe, this project will support elk, deer and other wildlife that make Arizona so special.”

The I-17 wildlife project is one of 19 nationally to receive funding through the first round of $110 million in grants from FHWA.

“We are pleased to announce the first round of grants under the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program to projects that will significantly reduce the number of collisions between motorists and wildlife,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt, who traveled to Arizona to make the announcement at Sunset Point along I-17. “These roadway safety investments will ensure that motorists and wildlife in Arizona get to their destinations safely and are a win-win for safety and the environment.”

In addition to the I-17 wildlife overpass, which is planned for milepost 327.4 in the Willard Springs area, the project also will include new 8-foot-tall wildlife fencing tying into existing culverts, ramps to help wildlife escape fenced areas and double cattle guards at interchanges. It will connect with a Game and Fish project that will retrofit wildlife fencing along 6 miles of I-17 south from Munds Park that directs wildlife to two existing large bridges. The nearly 15 miles covered by these two safety projects accounted for 58% of crashes involving wildlife between 2018 and 2022 between Stoneman Lake Road and Flagstaff. In this 31.7-mile stretch, around three-quarters of all crashes between vehicles and wildlife involve elk, which can weigh up to 1,100 pounds.

The area between Munds Park and Kelly Canyon is one of three priority areas proposed by the state for new wildlife overpasses because of higher potential for collisions involving wildlife, particularly elk and deer. The other interstate freeway locations identified as potential sites for wildlife overpasses are I-17 near the Kachina Boulevard interchange, about 6 miles south of Flagstaff, and Interstate 40 west of Parks. ADOT and its partners continue to seek funding for projects at the other two priority sites. 

Identified by the federal, state and Coconino County governments as a high priority corridor for elk movement, the 8.4 miles of I-17 through the Willard Springs area currently has no bridges and only one road culvert suitable for use by elk and deer. The wildlife overpass will be 100 feet wide designed for use by elk, deer, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, black bears, mountain lions and smaller animals. 

A projected start date will be determined in the coming months. The project will require completion of final design, including environmental review, project programming and other required steps. This process will be initiated due to the federal grant.

In 2015, FHWA awarded ADOT, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and other partners its Environmental Excellence Award for Excellence in Environmental Leadership for numerous efforts to reduce conflicts between vehicles and wildlife while connecting habitats.

“ADOT has a rich history of coordinating with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and other partners on projects that promote safety for both motorists and wildlife,” ADOT Director Jennifer Toth said. “This grant will advance these efforts in a critical corridor for recreational and commercial travel while helping elk, deer and other creatures whose habitats span northern Arizona.” 

For the project funded by the Federal Highway Administration grant, Game and Fish has committed $1.5 million in matching funds along with $750,000 toward project design. Game and Fish also received a $1 million America the Beautiful Challenge grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation that, along with $387,000 in matching funds, will be used for the fence retrofit along I-17 south from Munds Park. 

“As Arizona continues to grow, crossing structures such as wildlife overpasses and underpasses will have the dual benefit of reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions for public safety while also connecting fragmented habitats, allowing wildlife to access vital resources, preserving migratory routes, and maintaining genetic diversity,” said Arizona Game and Fish Department Director Ty Gray. “We’re grateful to the Federal Highway Administration and our sister state agency, the Arizona Department of Transportation, for this opportunity to help ensure a wildlife legacy for future generations.”

Other notable collaborations between ADOT, Arizona Game and Fish Department and partners including the U.S. Forest Service and Regional Transportation Authority in Pima County include: 

  • A reconstruction of 17 miles of US 93 in far northwestern Arizona featuring three wildlife overpasses and two bridged underpasses in desert bighorn sheep habitat, complemented by three underpasses on State Route 68 between Bullhead City and Golden Valley.
  • A system of crossing and fencing on SR 260 east of Payson designed to reduce crashes involving elk and deer. 
  • A 6-mile reconstruction of SR 77 (Oracle Road) north of Tucson that included an  overpass and underpass connecting wildlife habitats in the Santa Catalina and Tortolita mountains. 
  • Two wildlife underpasses and 6 miles of fencing added to SR 86 between Tucson and Sells.

I-17 project installing fiber-optic infrastructure wins regional award

I-17 project installing fiber-optic infrastructure wins regional award

I-17 101 traffic interchange

I-17 project installing fiber-optic infrastructure wins regional award

I-17 project installing fiber-optic infrastructure wins regional award

September 12, 2023

Effort involved 67 miles between Anthem Way and McGuireville

PHOENIX – An Arizona Department of Transportation project that installed high-speed fiber-optic infrastructure along 67 miles of Interstate 17 between north Phoenix and McGuireville has won a regional award. 

The construction trade publication Engineering News-Record honored the team responsible for the project, including prime contractor Kiewit Infrastructure West Co., with a 2023 Best Projects Award of Merit for the Southwest region in the Specialty Construction category. 

As part of the state’s initiative to bring broadband internet access to more Arizonans, the $20.6 million project completed earlier this year installed conduit and fiber-optic cable between Anthem Way and the McGuireville Rest Area. This work connected and completed a broader project totalling 146 miles of fiber-optic conduit between Van Buren Street in Phoenix and the I-17/I-40 interchange in Flagstaff. Future fiber-optic conduit projects are planned along the length of I-40 through northern Arizona.

ADOT, which designed the winning project in partnership with Kimley-Horn, worked with Kiewit to use innovative micro-trenching technology to install the fiber-optic infrastructure under the asphalt shoulder of I-17. This helped address challenges posed by hard rock next to the highway and deliver the project in a safer, faster and more cost-effective manner with minimal impacts on the public.

Winning projects will be honored in Engineering News-Record’s Oct. 30 issue and at a luncheon in Phoenix on Oct. 31. 

Fiber-optic conduit also has been added along I-19 between the Tucson area and Nogales. These efforts complement a state law that allows private broadband providers to install, operate and maintain telecommunications equipment within ADOT’s right of way using conduit installed along state highways.

In addition to the benefits to rural broadband connectivity, ADOT plans to use the fiber to provide intelligent transportation systems technology, such as overhead message boards, traffic cameras, weather stations and wrong-way driving detection. The infrastructure also will help lay the groundwork for emerging technologies like connected and automated vehicles.

For more information on ADOT’s broadband efforts, please visit azdot.gov/BroadbandClick here to see a map of current and planned fiber-optic conduit routes.

Paving work begins on the I-17 Improvement Project

Paving work begins on the I-17 Improvement Project

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Paving work begins on the I-17 Improvement Project

Paving work begins on the I-17 Improvement Project

By Laura Douglas / ADOT Communications
August 21, 2023
Layers pavement on a roadway.

If you’ve driven on I-17 near Anthem Way during the last few weeks, you may have noticed that the I-17 Improvement Project has hit a significant milestone. As work continues on the 23-mile stretch between Anthem Way and Sunset Point, crews have started paving what will become the new additional travel lanes in the southern portion of the project. 

Segment 1, which runs between Anthem Way and Table Mesa Road, is the first portion of the project where paving work is underway. Check out our videos here and here. One additional travel lane is being added in both directions of I-17 from Anthem Way to Black Canyon City, and the beginning of those new lanes is now visible to those traveling through the project corridor. 

The paving process takes more than a year to complete because it requires four different layers, along with the appropriate weather windows. Crews start with the subgrade, followed by aggregate base, then asphalt pavement, and finally, the top layer of asphalt (the “friction course”), which is the layer that motorists drive on. 

The unique thing about the paving on the I-17 Improvement Project is that a majority of the aggregate base, the second layer in the paving “layer cake,” is made up of earth material and rock removed from the project corridor by controlled rock blasting and other means. All the material loosened during blasting is taken to the crusher in the northern portion of the project and crushed down into aggregate base. 

While it may appear that the new lanes at Anthem Way are paved and ready to go, there still is much work to be done to complete those four layers. The beginning of the paving process is a major step and takes time. The 15 miles of new lanes between Anthem Way and Black Canyon City are expected to be completed and open to traffic in late 2024. The eight miles of flex lanes between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point are the last portion of the project and are expected to open to traffic in 2025.

For more information about the I-17 Improvement Project, visit improvingi17.com.

A graphic contsing the the four levels of paving: Subgrade, Aggregate Base, Asphalt, and Friction Course.

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.

Elk fence reduced crashes, great example of collaboration

Elk fence reduced crashes, great example of collaboration

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Elk fence reduced crashes, great example of collaboration

Elk fence reduced crashes, great example of collaboration

By Kathy Cline / ADOT Communications
November 7, 2022

ADOT works with many state agencies for many reasons. One collaboration with the Arizona Game & Fish Department significantly reduced elk-vehicle crashes on northbound I-17 south of Flagstaff.

In 2011, AZGFD noted a stretch of I-17 near Munds Park was seeing a high number of elk-vehicle crashes.  Because a full-grown bull elk can weigh upwards of 700 pounds, crashing into something that large can destroy a vehicle and cause serious injury or death to vehicle occupants, as well as the animal. 

In 2012, after some study, AZGFD and ADOT installed ungulate – “ungulate” means “hoofed mammal” – fencing in four locations near Munds Park on I-17:

  • Munds Canyon Bridge (milepost 322)
  • Schnebly Hill traffic interchange (milepost 320.5)
  • Fox Ranch traffic interchange (milepost 317.9)
  • Woods Canyon Bridge (milepost 317)

In most instances, the existing right-of-way fences were modified with bolts and barbed wire, eliminating the need for completely new fencing and poles. Positive results were seen immediately.

From 2007 to 2010, 20 elk-vehicle crashes were documented within this area. From 2012 to 2014, there was only one.

This success is one example of Arizona showing leadership in wildlife connectivity issues through partnerships among multiple agencies. ADOT and AZGFD have also collaborated to construct wildlife underpasses and elk crossings along State Route 260 east of Payson and desert bighorn sheep overpasses near historic Hoover Dam on US 93

Throwback Thursday: I-17 in 1970

Throwback Thursday: I-17 in 1970

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Throwback Thursday: I-17 in 1970

Throwback Thursday: I-17 in 1970

By John LaBarbera / ADOT Communications
June 2, 2022

This Thursday, we’re throwing back more than a half century with this entry from 1970.

In the foreground, we see Interstate 17, which, two years earlier, was officially dedicated as Maricopa Freeway from 16th Street to the Durango Curve, and as Black Canyon Freeway north to Carefree Highway.

Cars can be seen zooming across the highway, crossing over Central Avenue. The overpass, Central Avenue Bridge, underwent a modernizing reconstruction project last year. 

Central Avenue is seen in this photo transporting motorists to and from downtown Phoenix and beyond, just as it ends at the cusp of the North Mountain Preserve in Sunnyslope.

This snapshot from 1970 does not look all that different from today. Though I-17 may be wider, downtown may have a few more skyscrapers, and we generally shoot photos in color, though film is definitely a thing of the past. 

Throwback Thursday: Future I-17

Throwback Thursday: Future I-17

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Throwback Thursday: Future I-17

Throwback Thursday: Future I-17

By John LaBarbera / ADOT Communications
May 19, 2022

Today we throwback to 1974. In July of that year, The Arizona Highway Department officially became the Arizona Department of Transportation we know today. Work was also underway to bring what would become Interstate 17 up to federal interstate standards.

Here we see a photo of the future I-17, looking south near Fox Ranch Road just south of Munds Park. The Ponderosa pines are towering over a dirt road that will soon be paved for direct travel from Phoenix to Flagstaff. At this point, crews were working to convert the highway from one lane in each direction to two. That would be completed in 1976. From Phoenix to Flagstaff, the entire lenth of I-17 opened in 1978.

Interstate 17 is situated on two older alignments of recognizable Arizona highways. From Flagstaff south to Camp Verde, I-17 aligns with a former section of State Route 79. And from Cordes Junction down to Phoenix, I-17 runs along a previous segment of State Route 69. That’s also where the Interstate inherited its milepost numbers.

This blog post has more about the history of I-17.

Throwback Thursday: A snow-saturated Flagstaff

Throwback Thursday: A snow-saturated Flagstaff

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Throwback Thursday: A snow-saturated Flagstaff

Throwback Thursday: A snow-saturated Flagstaff

By John LaBarbera / ADOT Communications
July 15, 2021

Today, in the midst of triple-digit temperatures throughout the state, we throwback to a frosty winter’s scene in 1967 Flagstaff, showing what is today Interstate 17 meeting Interstate 40. 

Of course, at the time, the road that would become I-17 was still known as State Route 79. It officially upgraded to interstate status in 1971. And I-40 would not be formally christened in Flagstaff until 1968, a year after this photo was snapped. The entire stretch across the state would be completed in 1984.

Immediately, our eyes are drawn to the snow-capped San Francisco Peaks, rising majestically over the City of Seven Wonders to a maximal apex of more than 12,600 feet.

And just below the peak, on the right side of the frame, we see the streets of downtown Flagstaff to the north, and an evergreen-shrouded Northern Arizona University immediately to its south. Not pictured: The Walkup Skydome, which wouldn’t break ground for another eight years, opening in 1977.

Nestled in the hills just west of downtown, is Lowell Observatory. At the time this photo was captured, Lowell was playing an integral role in the Apollo moon landing mission. The once-but-sadly-no-longer-a-planet Pluto was discovered there in 1930. Lowell Observatory sits atop Mars Hill… perhaps a glimpse into future discoveries.

Today, there are fewer trees and more shopping centers in the area immediately surrounding Milton Road, the street I-17 becomes after crossing I-40. But there are still plenty of ponderosa pines that peek down on visitors.

Currently, we have two ongoing I-40 projects in the Flagstaff area, and even more the further away we go. Meanwhile, I-17 has a slew of projects on deck in our Tentative Five-Year Construction Program.

So, while it continues to heat up in the Copper State this summer, we can lose ourselves in this refreshing glimpse of a time much cooler.

Throwback Thursday: No matter the year, Sunset Point delights

Throwback Thursday: No matter the year, Sunset Point delights

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Throwback Thursday: No matter the year, Sunset Point delights

Throwback Thursday: No matter the year, Sunset Point delights

By John LaBarbera / ADOT Communications
March 11, 2021

Today’s Throwback Thursday entry goes back to 1971. Flip Wilson is on your TV, the price of peanut butter is 59 cents, and Sunset Point is looking mighty inviting.

Yes, here’s a look at Interstate 17’s favorite rest area one half century ago. We can spot a Volkswagen Bus, a pickup with a pretty impressive camper shell, and perhaps a Buick Skylark towing one of those fancy silver Airstream trailers.

Fifty years later, Sunset Point remains a popular pit stop for folks traveling up and down I-17. Except now there are a few more vending machines and a lot more parking. Those baby trees in the foreground are undoubtedly nearly grown now, too.

Not much beats the breathtaking views Sunset Point offers. Especially around dusk, when you can take in a little thing called…the sunset.

The highway will definitely look different in the next few years. Interstate 17 is about to embark on an ambitious widening project beginning in 2022, bringing one additional lane in each direction and two flex lanes to the stretch between Anthem and Sunset Point by late 2025.