Lane changes but no closures on I-17 for drivers heading to Flagstaff this weekend
If you're on your way to graduation at Northern Arizona University or heading to Mother's Day brunch over the weekend, don't be alarmed if Apple Maps or Google Maps shows Interstate 17 closed.
No, it's not a repeat of this time last year when southbound I-17 in north Phoenix was closed for a pavement improvement project.
Starting May 5, northbound traffic shifted into two newly constructed flex lanes that run adjacent to the two existing southbound lanes. The Arizona Department of Transportation said the detour was necessary for several weeks as work continued on the main northbound lanes between Coldwater Road and Sunset Point.
Southbound traffic will continue to use the general-purpose lanes, which are business as usual.
Here's what you need to know and look out for when driving on I-17.
The closure in 2024 was from southbound I-17, between SR 74/Carefree Highway and Loop 303, from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Southbound on-ramps also were closed at Daisy Mountain Drive and Pioneer Road.
To avoid the area, ADOT suggested motorists go west on SR 74 to southbound Lake Pleasant Parkway and eastbound Loop 303 to access I-17.
People on social media complained about the travel delays, saying they were on the road for hours. Others were just frustrated about closures on this particular weekend, between Mother's Day and Northern Arizona University's four graduation ceremonies in Flagstaff.
"Four hours to get home to Surprise from Flagstaff last night," Jon Ponsford commented. "Unconscionable, that a major freeway and the only freeway between northern and southern AZ would be totally closed. The reroutes have traffic backed up as far as one can see."
"I don't know whose bright idea it was to close (Interstate) 17 on freaking Mother's Day weekend, but they need a little evaluation on thought process in the future," Lisa Lauenberg wrote.
According to a Facebook post, if you are traveling north on I-17 to attend graduation or to escape the heat, ADOT advised that northbound I-17 will be open to traffic, and there are no scheduled closures for May 9 through May 12. There is a traffic shift in effect north of Coldwater Road.
"Since Monday, vehicles are being detoured into the newly constructed flex lanes while work is taking place on the northbound general-purpose lanes," the department said. "Your navigation apps, such as Google Maps or Apple Maps, may not reflect this traffic shift and may be showing I-17 northbound as closed north of Black Canyon City."
Northbound drivers will transition from the regular lanes at Coldwater Road in Black Canyon City and use newly constructed crossover lanes to enter two flex lanes. Drivers will continue on the flex lanes for eight miles and rejoin the main general-purpose lanes through another set of crossover lanes at Sunset Point.
Drivers will travel on the flex lanes for about eight miles between Coldwater Road and Sunset Point.
The I-17 construction includes bridge work at Bumble Bee Road. While the detour is in place, drivers will not be able to access the northbound Bumble Bee Road exit.
Bumble Bee Road under northbound I-17 will be closed to traffic.
The I-17 Improvement Project covers 23 miles of construction between Anthem Way and Sunset Point. Construction began in 2022 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
ADOT said the project aims to enhance safety, improve traffic flow and support local economies.
Project highlights include:
Widening 15 miles of roadway between Anthem Way and Coldwater Road in Black Canyon City
Replacing two bridges and widening 10 others
Constructing about eight miles of flex lanes between Coldwater Road and Sunset Point
According to ADOT, flex lanes operate as an additional two-lane roadway that carries one direction of traffic at a time. The lanes will alternate between northbound and southbound depending on the greatest traffic need.
ADOT noted that the I-17 flex lanes will not operate as such during the traffic shift. The lanes will only support northbound traffic.
The Republic's Lauren De Young and Perry Vandell contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: No I-17 closures, just flex lanes if you're heading up north
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