Grand Canyon Times

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will commence construction this month on an Interstate 17 project designed to boost wildlife safety near Flagstaff. The initiative aims to reduce vehicle-animal collisions and enhance habitat connectivity, focusing particularly on elk and deer in the region. A federal grant supports the project.

In collaboration with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, ADOT will oversee the $15.8 million project, which includes an overpass situated 12 miles south of Flagstaff. Additionally, the project entails the installation of 8-foot-tall fencing spanning over eight miles of the interstate. The proposed site currently lacks sufficient crossings, possessing just a single road culvert for animal passage.

The new overpass, covered with earth and native vegetation, will be located north of Willard Springs Road at milepost 327.4. It is designed to accommodate a variety of wildlife including bears and elk. Two steel-reinforced concrete girders will underscore the bridge spans, with completion planned for fall 2026.

The Federal Highway Administration’s Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program funds most of the project. Temporary crossovers will facilitate traffic management on the I-17, allowing construction to proceed while minimizing lane closures. Safety barriers will separate traffic directions.

Travelers should plan for potential delays, as lane reductions are necessary during the project's progression. The specified area accounted for 58% of animal-induced crashes between Stoneman Lake Road and Flagstaff from 2018 to 2022, with 75% of these incidents involving elk.

Highway conditions can be monitored in real-time through ADOT's Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov or through the AZ511 app. Updates are also available via ADOT’s X/Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT.