Jennifer Toth, Director of Arizona Department of Transportation | Arizona Department of Transportation
Jennifer Toth, Director of Arizona Department of Transportation | Arizona Department of Transportation
A weekend closure of northbound Interstate 17 in north Phoenix is planned from February 7 to 10, as part of the final stages of a pavement improvement project. This announcement was made by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).
The closure will affect northbound I-17 between Loop 303 and State Route 74/Carefree Highway, starting at 10 p.m. on Friday, February 7, and ending at 5 a.m. on Monday, February 10. Traffic approaching I-17 from eastbound Loop 303 will only be able to turn right onto southbound I-17, with no traffic allowed to cross under I-17.
ADOT has provided a detour for travelers: "Allow extra travel time. Northbound I-17 traffic exiting at Loop 303 traffic will detour on the northbound frontage road to SR 74 to reach I-17." They also advised drivers to use this primary detour route even if navigation apps suggest alternative routes and cautioned against using local streets east of I-17 that are not equipped for freeway traffic.
The pavement improvement project targets the section between Happy Valley Road and State Route 74. It involves removing old asphalt and applying diamond grinding treatment to the concrete pavement underneath. The current schedule includes three more weekend closures:
1. Southbound I-17 between Loop 303 and Happy Valley Road from February 14 to February 17.
2. Northbound I-17 between Happy Valley Road and Loop 303 from February 21 to February 24.
3. Southbound I-17 between SR 74/Carefree Highway and Loop 303 from February 28 to March 3.
These schedules may change due to weather or other factors. According to ADOT, "the improvement work already has created a safer, smoother and longer lasting surface along six miles of I-17 north of Happy Valley Road." The project began in May last year.
Travelers can check real-time highway conditions through ADOT's Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, via the AZ511 app available for Apple or Android devices, or by calling their hotline at '511'.