Tag Archives: Interstate 17

Overnight paving resumes on I-17 between New River and Black Canyon City

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The Arizona Department of Transportation will resume repaving of Interstate 17 this week between New River and Coldwater Canyon roads in Black Canyon City (mileposts 232 to 245). Crews have completed repaving the southbound lanes and have shifted work to the northbound lanes for the next two months. Drivers can expect alternating northbound lane restrictions during overnight work hours.

Crews will also close the on- and off-ramps at Table Mesa Road (Exit 236) for repaving between 6:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, and Wednesday, Jan. 11.

The $10.8 million project includes the removal of a layer of the existing pavement and application of a new layer of smooth, quiet rubberized asphalt. The project is scheduled to be completed by summer 2017.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

When a snowstorm hits, safest choice is waiting it out

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PHOENIX — ADOT has nearly 200 snowplows and 400 certified drivers stationed around the state to address snow and ice. But as Christmas weekend showed—especially on Interstate 40 from Flagstaff west to Ash Fork and on Interstate 17 south of Flagstaff—a snowstorm can be so intense that travel becomes unsafe quickly.

This is why drivers should monitor conditions before leaving and be prepared to delay travel until snowplows can do their work. A few inches of snow fell per hour at the height of last weekend’s storm, causing crashes and slide-offs and resulting in long closures because of the time required to get vehicles cleared and lanes open again.

In addition to watching National Weather Service forecasts for Flagstaff, Williams or any area you are planning to travel, be sure to check az511.gov or call 511 for the latest road conditions. ADOT’s Twitter account (@ArizonaDOT) is a good source of information and interaction.

Accident on I-40 at exit 163 in Williams. Photo courtesy of Williams Fire Department.

A 28-car pile up occurred at the 163 exit of I-40 in Williams on Christmas Eve keeping many stuck for up to eight-hours. If you drive faster, you may not get through the snow faster. You may not get through at all. When it rains it can be just as dangerous overnight as the temperature drops and ice builds up on the roadways.

Because snowstorms can result in sudden closures sometimes lasting for hours, ADOT offers tips at azdot.gov/KnowSnow that include packing an emergency kit with blankets, warm clothing, snacks and water and keeping your gas tank half to three-quarters full at all times. It is also good to have a charged cellphone, but some areas do not have cellphone service. A radio transmitter, such as the FRS/GMRS radios, Citizens Band or amateur radio equipment is also a good idea.

But the safest option when snow is falling is not being on road unless it’s absolutely necessary.

During the storm, white cars were observed driving in the snow without lights making them difficult to see. Turn your lights ON during a storm, whether rain or snow, no matter the color of your vehicle if you feel you must drive at all. You need to make yourself as visible as possible.

Photo courtesy of the Williams Fire Department

With another storm forecast for New Year’s weekend, recent experience reinforces the value of waiting until roads are plowed and ready for traffic. If there’s any question about whether it’s a good idea to go, you’d probably do well to wait.

When highways are plowed and ready for traffic, many drivers may be heading uphill to play in the snow. If you’re among them, be sure to leave prepared, as New Year’s usually is an especially busy weekend at snow-play areas, especially along US 180 outside of Flagstaff, resulting in long lines of traffic at day’s end.

Those heading to snow-play sites along US 180 may want to consider making an earlier start home, as on busy days traffic builds toward Flagstaff throughout the afternoon. When they reach Flagstaff, drivers taking Interstate 17 south can save time by following a marked alternate route to Interstate 40 at Butler Avenue, via Switzer Canyon Road and Route 66, and then heading west to I-17. A map of this route, as well as locations of snow-play sites, is available at FlagstaffArizona.org (follow the Winter Snow Play link).

I-17 southbound reduced to one lane until Saturday north of Cordes Junction

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Southbound Interstate 17 will be reduced to one lane until Saturday, December 24, at Orme Road, between State Route 169 and State Route 69, as crews make critically needed repairs at the bridge, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

ADOT normally doesn’t perform work requiring lane restrictions over holiday weekends, but engineers have determined that these repairs, involving concrete on the bridge approach, must be performed immediately.

I-17 is narrowed to one lane between mileposts 270 and 269 approaching Cordes Junction. Northbound travel isn’t affected.

Southbound I-17 motorists should plan for delays, proceed through the work zone carefully and watch for construction personnel and equipment. While the work is scheduled to be completed on Saturday, bad weather can delay completion of projects.

Changes to signal timing mean big benefits for Phoenix drivers

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PHOENIX — It may not be surprising to hear that coordinating the timing of city traffic signals and those at two busy Interstate 17 interchanges will save drivers time.

But the Arizona Department of Transportation and its partners, the city of Phoenix and Maricopa Association of Governments, have taken it a step further by adding up the time saved and its dollar value for a project involving Camelback and Indian School roads.

The answer: Motorists are expected to save 350,000 hours of travel time, worth $6.2 million, per year.

“Continuous improvement is ADOT’s culture and is reflected in both large and small things that the ADOT team does every day. Sometimes a seemingly small change that makes better use of resources can mean big improvements,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Drivers are already seeing a time savings from this coordination. Saving time means saving money and more time with family, friends and things you enjoy doing.”

“The ADOT team’s challenge is to keep improving time savings and promote efficiency for Arizona’s taxpayers,” Halikowski added.

“When ADOT, MAG and the city of Phoenix work together strategically, the public is the beneficiary,” Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said. “Properly timing the traffic signals at these busy intersections will ease congestion, which gets commuters home sooner, saves fuel and keeps our air cleaner.”

A project funded by Maricopa Association of Governments’ Traffic Signal Optimization Program studied traffic signal timing at the Camelback and Indian School interchanges and nearby city streets and recommended a number of improvements. The project developed a common cycle length for all traffic signals near those interchanges and the best timing for the morning and evening commutes.

ADOT and Phoenix made these recommended changes, leading to significant improvements in travel times at these locations. An independent study by ADOT staff identified the benefits in time saved.

Besides saving motorists time, these adjustments are expected to improve safety by reducing the number of stops drivers must make and time spent waiting at traffic lights. Shorter travel times and fewer stops also reduce fuel consumption and air pollution.

ADOT and Phoenix continue to evaluate other I-17 corridor interchanges to see if changes in signal coordination can improve traffic flow elsewhere.

Drivers are key to reducing I-17 crashes, closures north of Phoenix

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PHOENIX — As the Arizona Department of Transportation seeks to identify and fund projects that will increase capacity on Interstate 17 north of Phoenix, drivers need to do their part by avoiding the poor decisions and inattention behind so many of the crashes that result in closures and backups – and worse, injuries and fatalities.

The steep, winding stretch of I-17 between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point is one of ADOT’s priorities for improvements.

But ADOT Director John Halikowski says no widening project or highway safety measure can be as effective as drivers obeying speed limits, avoiding distractions and driving with patience. A recent analysis found that the driver violation cited in more than 40 percent of I-17 crashes in the Black Canyon City area was “speed too fast for conditions.”

“We drive these highways too and care deeply not only about the time motorists lose in delays but the toll in injuries and lives lost due to speeding and driver inattention,” Halikowski said. “We’re committed to improving traffic flow and enhancing safety on I-17 and won’t stop until we get this done. But we can’t ignore driver behavior. We can all get home sooner and safely if we work together to avoid crashes.”

A recent safety message on ADOT’s overhead highway sign network sums up this approach: Control yourself, control your vehicle, save lives.

“Always drive defensively,” said Alberto Gutier, director of the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “Being constantly aware of your surroundings and the actions of other motorists is especially important in this stretch of I-17, which can see heavy traffic and demands a driver’s complete attention.”

Col. Frank Milstead, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, said everyone in a vehicle should promote safe driving.

“Passengers, be a good co-pilot, don’t allow your driver to disregard our traffic laws and drive distracted,” Milstead said. “Encourage them to focus on safe, unselfish driving. Otherwise, they may unexpectedly meet one of our troopers during a traffic stop or collision investigation.”

ADOT will launch an I-17 safety project in 2017 focused on the area between New River Road and Sunset Point Rest Area. The project will add several electronic “speed feedback” signs with digital displays that show drivers how fast they are traveling compared to the speed limit. New signs alerting drivers to highway curves will be installed, along with four overhead message signs to inform drivers of traffic conditions.

“I-17 is vital for passenger and commercial traffic between Phoenix and northern Arizona communities,” Halikowski said. “We’re determined to identify options to increase capacity in that stretch of I-17 while also working with DPS, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and other agencies to emphasize what drivers can do to improve safety.”

Interstate 40 paving work by Interstate 17 interchange on Monday, Nov. 14

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FLAGSTAFF — Motorists traveling eastbound along Interstate 40 just outside of Flagstaff should allow for extra time for travel on Monday, Nov. 14 as crews perform spot-repairs to the roadway near the Interstate 17 junction (milepost 194-197).

Work will begin early in the morning and continue during daylight hours. The speed limit will be reduced through the construction zone.

Drivers should allow extra time for travel, use caution in the work zone and watch for equipment and personnel.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but it’s possible that unscheduled closures or restrictions might occur because of weather or other factors. For the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at az511.gov, follow us on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511 except while driving.

Emergency drill will close northbound I-17 McGuireville Rest Area morning of Tuesday, Nov. 8

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PHOENIX – The northbound McGuireville Rest Area along Interstate 17 will be closed to travelers the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 8, to allow Copper Canyon Fire and Medical Authority to conduct a mass-casualty incident drill, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The northbound facility, located at milepost 297, will close at 8:30 a.m. for approximately an hour and a half. The southbound rest area will remain open.

Drivers headed toward the high country can use the Sunset Point Rest Area at milepost 262 or services in Camp Verde and other communities.

Restrictions begin Oct. 31 on State Route 260 to accommodate roundabout construction near Interstate 17

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Travel restrictions and lane closures will begin Monday, Oct. 31, for both east- and westbound travel on State Route 260 as construction begins on the SR 260 roundabout at Industrial Drive in Camp Verde (milepost 218 to 219) just east of the Interstate 17 junction.

Lane and travel restrictions will be in place 24 hours a day and will be maintained until late February, 2017. A 10-foot-wide load restriction will also be in place during operations.

The completed roundabout will keep traffic flowing smoothly in all directions as well as in and out of businesses. At present, traffic on Industrial Drive can only make right turns onto SR 260, while those on SR 260 can wait in long left-turn bays to get to businesses or turn around.

Roundabout will improve safety, traffic flow in Camp Verde near I-17

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CAMP VERDE – A roundabout project on State Route 260 just east of Interstate 17 will enhance safety, and help visitors and residents better navigate a busy commercial area in Camp Verde.

The roundabout will be where SR 260 intersects with Industrial Drive, in an area where many travelers pull over for gasoline, a bite to eat or a cup of coffee.

The improvement will keep traffic flowing smoothly in all directions, as well as in and out of businesses. At present, traffic on Industrial Drive can only make right turns onto SR 260, while those on SR 260 can wait in long left-turn bays to get to businesses or turn around.

The Arizona Department of Transportation project, which will begin in the coming weeks and is set for completion in the spring, also will add sidewalks on the north side of SR 260 between Cliffs Parkway and Main Street, and on the south side of SR 260 between Seventh Street and Main Street.

While there will be traffic restrictions throughout the project, access to local businesses and properties will be maintained throughout.

Maintenance scheduled Wednesday, Oct. 26, on southbound Interstate 17 near Table Mesa Road and New River

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The Arizona Department of Transportation will perform routine pavement maintenance between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, on southbound I-17 in two locations:

Between mileposts 237 and 236, near Table Mesa Road; and
Between mileposts 233 and 232 near New River

Minimal delays are expected during work hours. The speed limit through the work zones will be reduced to 45 mph during work hours. Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction equipment and personnel.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but it’s possible that unscheduled closures or restrictions might occur because of weather or other factors. For the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 511, except while driving.