ADOT Plans Upgrades, Third Lane On Parts Of Interstate 17
Arizona Department of Transportation is inviting north Valley residents to comment about future changes to Interstate 17.
The project covers lane upgrades on the stretch between Anthem and Black Canyon City. The plan is to add a third lane southbound on I-17 in the mountainous area.
Doug Nintzel with ADOT said the traffic needs have grown since the freeway was originally built.
“We’re looking at it from a positive attitude now," he said. "The time has come for improvements to take place. We’ve been able to line up some funding to start adding new lanes.”
RELATED: ADOT Looking For Ways To Ease I-17 Traffic
Nintzel said the department has more than $100 million for the upgrades, which will begin in 2021.
Nintzel said they are exploring the idea of a so-called extra flex lane that could be opened in case of an accident or to ease congestion on the busy weekends.
“They could be used for northbound travel on Friday afternoon when it’s busier or south bound on a Sunday afternoon," Nintzel said. "Or of course if a crash were to occur in the area the flexibility of those lanes is there to use the flex lanes to move traffic.”
The public meeting starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Canon Elementary School in Black Canyon City. Those who cannot attend can send written comments to azdot.gov/projects.
