This won't come as a big shock to anyone, but state highways see a lot of travel on the weekends. And if it's a holiday weekend, you can expect to be heading out of town with potentially thousands of your best friends.

As the folks who watch over those state highways you take to get to the high country, can we offer a few words of wisdom?

• First and foremost, planning and preparation are everything. Make sure your car - battery, coolant, tirest, etc. - is in tip-top shape. No one wants to be broken down on the side of the road for Independence Day.
• Expect the unexpected. Keep extra water, healthy snacks, a first aid kit, jumper cables and other emergency supplies in your vehicle just in case.
• Plan your route ahead of time. And before taking off, check current traffic conditions at az511.gov. You can also download the az511 mobile app and our ADOT Alerts app to receive notifications en route.
• Buckle up and obey the speed limit.
• NEVER drive impaired. Designate a driver.
• This may have been your plan anyway, but please remember to observe social distance during the current public health situation.
• You can find more tips to make sure you are ready to enjoy the long weekend on our Road Trip Safety Page.

One last thing to consider as you prepare to head out. As we told you about earlier this week, you should expect longer-than-usual delays on State Route 87 just south of State Route 188. The Bush Fire caused millions of dollars worth of guardrail and right-of-way fence damage along 13 miles of the highway, meaning the right lane is closed along that stretch until repairs can be finished. If you heading toward Payson, the White Mountains or the Mogollon Rim might wish to consider alternate routes, such as Interstate 17 to State Route 260, or US 60 through Globe and Show Low. 

Want the latest information on highway construction projects but don't feel like reading through our Weekend Travel Advisory or the Roadwork Roundup we provide through our social media channels? ADOT still has you covered!

Audio versions of these notices are available every week through links on ADOT"s Twitter and Facebook accounts, usually on Fridays and Sundays. The clips are posted at SoundCloud, an audio website that allows you to listen to them for free. For all of our audio posts, you can follow our SoundCloud channel. 

These audio reports are no more than three and a half minutes long and cover current weekend closures and restrictions in the Phoenix metro area (Weekend Travel Advisory) or ongoing projects statewide (Roadwork Roundup). And they always have links back to our website in case you missed something. Here's a recent edition of our Weekend Travel Advisory:

This new format for sharing construction information came from public feedback. People said the written reports are great, but they didn't always have time to read them. A brief audio report from one of our public information officers was just the thing to fill this need.

Always looking for ways to serve you better, we welcome suggestions on how to improve these reports. We'd love to hear from you through comments or replies to our social posts with these audio updates. 

Good news for anyone planning to hit the road this holiday weekend...

You won’t be facing any construction closures along state highways!

However, travelers are asked to be prepared to slow down and merge safely in any existing work zones around the state. Bridge-improvement projects require some lane restrictions along interstates 15 and 40 in northern Arizona. While no major delays are expected along I-40 this weekend, drivers using I-15 to travel between Nevada and Utah are urged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.

Safety behind the wheel

ADOT is joining other public safety agencies in urging motorists to stay alert and focus on safety over the three-day weekend.

Sixteen people were killed in a total of 15 fatal crashes along highways and local streets in Arizona over the July 4th weekend a year ago. It was the deadliest holiday weekend on roads and highways in the state last year. Four of the fatal crashes were alcohol-related and claimed the lives of four people.

Drivers are urged to be well-rested before heading out on a road trip and to exercise patience, especially when sharing busy highways with other drivers on over the extended holiday weekend.

ADOT, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and firefighting agencies continue to ask motorists to take steps to help prevent wildfires from starting along highways. That includes avoiding pulling over and parking in areas with grasses or brush that could burn due to hot components on the underside of a vehicle.

Travelers also should make sure their vehicles are not dragging tow-chains or other items that could create sparks. ADOT is taking part in the “One Less Spark One Less Wildfire” public-awareness campaign to draw attention to steps drivers can take to help prevent blazes.

And, because a blog post focused on holiday travel just wouldn’t be complete with out some safe-driving tips, we want to share these with you:

• Make sure to check your vehicle – including the condition of your tires. Proper tire pressure can reduce the risk of a blowout and improves gas mileage. Check oil and other fluid levels and inspect belts and hoses for wear.
• Expect the unexpected, including unscheduled road closures or restrictions due to crashes or other incidents. Be prepared for changing weather conditions. Storms and windy conditions can produce blowing dust.
• Get plenty of rest before traveling and take regular rest breaks. Fatigue is a serious safety risk.
• Buckle up and obey speed limits.
• Never drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Arrange for a designated driver in advance.
• Cell phones or GPS devices help in an emergency. Make sure they are fully charged.
• Be prepared in case your vehicle breaks down. If you need to change a flat tire, pull completely off the roadway. However, please avoid stopping in areas with tall grass or brush because hot vehicle components can spark a fire.
• Pack extra drinking water and snacks.

As always, you can check highway conditions on ADOT’s Traveler Information site at az511.gov or by calling 511 (the number outside Arizona is 1.888.411.ROAD). Additional ADOT updates are available through ADOT’s Twitter feed or on Facebook.

While not technically an end to the season (that happens later next month), Labor Day weekend is the time when many Arizonans say goodbye to summer by taking a trip out of town…

That translates to some very busy highways – especially at the start and end of the three-day weekend.

Interstate 17 north of the Phoenix area traditionally is one of the busiest spots and will be the focus of a safe-driving campaign starting today (Aug. 30), as part of a taskforce led by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, ADOT, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Stay Alert - Stay Alive

DPS will assign six highway patrol officers, two commercial vehicle enforcement officers and several service patrol members to work along I-17 between Black Canyon City and the SR 69 interchange at Cordes Junction today and Monday (Sept. 2) as part of the state’s Labor Day Traffic Safety Taskforce.

ADOT will use its overhead message boards in the area to display the words “Safety Corridor – Stay Alert, Stay Alive,” heading into and during the holiday weekend. In addition, portable message boards also will display safety messages such as “Buckle up” and will be available to advise drivers of incidents ahead.

ADOT also will have equipment ready, including a front loader, dump truck and roadway sweeper, to allow crews to respond to help DPS officers along I-17.

Safe Driving Fairs

DPS, ADOT, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and Arizona Department of Health Services also have teamed up with the Daisy Mountain Fire Department, John C. Lincoln Deer Valley Medical Center and the Yavapai County Citizens Corps’ Community Emergency Response Team to provide traffic safety information to drivers at two locations on Friday (Aug. 30) and Monday (Sept. 2).

Drivers can stop by the “Labor Day Safe Driving Fairs” at the Outlets at Anthem, I-17 and Anthem Way, as well as the Sunset Point Rest Area from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. Personnel will hand out bottled water and, if necessary, be prepared to provide basic first aid for holiday weekend travelers.

By the numbers

According to ADOT statistics, Labor Day weekend was the deadliest holiday weekend in Arizona last year. Seventeen people were killed in 14 fatal crashes on highway and local roads across the state over the extended Labor Day weekend in 2012.

Driver behavior is the key factor in maintaining highway safety.

In addition to buckling up and never drinking and driving, motorists are urged to obey speed limits, avoid distractions and exercise patience while out on the road. Getting a good night's rest before traveling and checking your vehicle, including tire pressure, are other safety steps that drivers should take. You should also be prepared for possible changes in weather conditions.

Read more about the safe-driving task force on our website.

For more travel tips and information about what restrictions to expect out on the road (spoiler alert: ADOT will not be scheduling any construction-related closures over the weekend!), check out our recent news release.

Don’t forget, before starting out on a trip, you can always check highway conditions by calling 511 or visiting az511.gov.