PHOENIX – While crews have been working behind the scenes at the Sunset Point Rest Area along Interstate 17 at milepost 252 since July, the next phase of work will require the rest area to close to the general public on Wednesday, Sept. 28. 

During the closure, commercial truck drivers will be allowed to continue using Sunset Point to park their vehicles and get some rest. Although facilities will be limited, portable restrooms and handwashing stations will be provided for commercial drivers to use. 

A temporary rest area will be available for use by passenger vehicles and non-commercial trucks at the Badger Springs Road exit on I-17 located 4 miles north of Sunset Point. The temporary facility will have parking, portable restrooms and handwashing stations. It will not be able to accommodate commercial vehicles, oversize loads, large RVs and vehicles with trailers. Motorists with those types of vehicles may use Sunset Point, if necessary, but are encouraged to use other nearby private facilities.

The rest area will be located on the east side of I-17 and can be accessed by north- and southbound traffic at Exit 256. Drivers can also use facilities in other areas, including Black Canyon City, which is about 10 miles south of the rest area, and Cordes Junction, which is 10 miles to the north.

The long-planned renovation project is unrelated to the I-17 Improvement Project, which will  expand and improve travel lanes on I-17 south of Sunset Point to Anthem Way. The rest area renovation project will upgrade the water and septic systems as well as the restrooms and vending areas. Truck parking will also be expanded as well as improvements to make the rest area more accessible for people with disabilities.

Other improvements to be made to the Sunset Point Rest Area include renovation of covered ramadas and upgrading sidewalks, lighting and signage. Crews also will work to renovate a sundial memorial honoring ADOT highway workers who have died in the line of duty. 

The $7.5 million project is expected to be completed before the 2023 summer travel season.

For more information, visit azdot.gov/Sunset-Point-Rehabilitation.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation is starting a project to renovate and upgrade facilities at the Sunset Point Rest Area along Interstate 17 at milepost 252 north of Phoenix. 

The project will upgrade the water and septic systems as well as the restrooms and vending areas. An improved, renovated rest area with reconstructed bathrooms, sewers and waterline facilities will be in place by next spring. Truck parking will also be expanded as well as improvements to make the rest area more accessible for people with disabilities.

Project work for the Sunset Point Rest Area will start Monday, July 11. This initial work will not impact the traveling public until after the busy summer season. The next phase of work will require the rest area be closed to non-commercial traffic after Labor Day.

Other improvements to be made to the Sunset Point Rest Area include renovation of covered ramadas and upgrading sidewalks, lighting and signage. Crews also will work to renovate a sundial memorial honoring ADOT highway workers who have died in the line of duty. 

The $7.5 million project is expected to be completed by the summer travel season in 2023.

For more information, visit azdot.gov/Sunset-Point-Rehabilitation.

PHOENIX – The Bouse Wash Rest Area on Interstate 10 in western Arizona has reopened following a year-long renovation project.

Improvements by the Arizona Department of Transportation include upgrades to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, replacing restroom fixtures and expanding the parking lot. Also, renovations improved and modernized ramadas, water and wastewater systems, vending buildings and other equipment.

The renovations took place on the eastbound and westbound rest areas, which are west of Tonopah at milepost 53.

The improvements are the latest ADOT has made in recent years to repair and replace infrastructure that has been in place for as long as 50 years.

Motorists may use this link to find a map of all ADOT rest areas.

PHOENIX – With many traveling to see family and friends this holiday season, plus the potential for snow up north attracting day-trippers, the Arizona Department of Transportation wants to remind drivers not to drive distracted.

If you’re traveling alone, drivers are urged to use phones to call or text at one of the state’s 15 rest areas. Once in a rest area, you can safely devote your attention to your device to make a call or send or respond to texts.

“Distracted driving is dangerous. We’ve all seen stories where tragedy strikes because a driver glanced at a text,” said State Engineer Dallas Hammit. “Paying attention when you are driving will help everyone get safely home this holiday season.”

In 2020 in Arizona, more than 8,000 drivers involved in crashes were engaged in distracted driving behavior. But the real number is much higher because traffic safety stakeholders say many drivers don’t admit to being distracted or died in the crash.

The use of hand-held mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets, while driving is banned in Arizona. On all Arizona roadways, it is illegal for drivers to talk or text on a device that isn’t engaged in hands-free mode.

To get more resources about distracted driving and see ADOT’s Emmy Award-winning distracted driving campaign, visit azdot.gov/terrify.

PHOENIX – The restrooms at the Texas Canyon Rest Area on Interstate 10 at milepost 320 have reopened after crews made an emergency repair to the water line, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The rest area’s other facilities such as parking, pet areas and ramadas remained open while repairs were made.

The rest area is located 70 miles east of Tucson. 

For more rest area locations, visit azdot.gov/restareas.