Arizona Department of Transportation

Major roadwork is underway along Interstate 17 between Anthem Way and Sunset Point until 2025.

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Welcome to the I-17 Improvement Project

The 23-mile section of Interstate 17 (I-17) between Anthem Way and Sunset Point is one of the most heavily utilized roadways in Arizona, seeing more than 1 million travelers each year.

Currently, I-17 has two travel lanes in each direction between Anthem Way, north of Phoenix, and Flagstaff. The highway passes through rolling terrain in the southern and northern segments and mountainous terrain with steep, narrow lanes between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point.

We look forward to improving this stretch of I-17 north of Phoenix. The work includes widening 15 miles of roadway, replacing two bridges and widening 10 others, and constructing approximately eight miles of flex lanes.

What are Flex Lanes?

The flex lane system is a proven technology to alleviate traffic congestion during peak travel times, or if an unplanned incident creates delays. The flex lanes will operate as an additional two-lane roadway that carries one direction of traffic at a time and can alternate between north- and southbound depending on the greatest need due to capacity.

Construction Runs Through 2025

Construction began in 2022 and ADOT anticipates it will take approximately three years to complete. This timeline makes it possible for the project team to minimize impacts on the traveling public while work is underway. Because much of the travel and congestion on I-17 occurs on weekends, lane closures will primarily be limited to weeknights from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. However, travelers should remain cautious in the construction zone, which will be active seven days a week. No weekend lane closures will be scheduled for construction, which allows you to use I-17 during peak travel days and times with limited construction impacts or restrictions. (A closure might occur on a weekend because of an emergency or unplanned incident.)

Project Map

What's Happening

While work continues on the I-17 Improvement Project, everyone will need to plan ahead to find the best approach for navigating construction along the I-17 corridor. That means people who live in the area, who use the I-17 corridor for work or weekend trips, and local business owners and visitors will be impacted in various ways.

Click the section below that best represents your travel needs. We’ll cover what to expect and provide tips.

The project team understands you, your employees, your vendors, suppliers and customers rely on I-17. We want to help you map out a plan and minimize impacts caused by construction. If your business uses or is located near I-17, you can anticipate the following:

  • Daytime and overnight construction activities
  • Traffic detours
  • Interstate closures (mostly during weeknights, Mondays through Thursdays southbound and Sundays through Thursdays northbound).
  • Intersection and bridge closures.

Who is affected?

  • Businesses located along or near I-17 between Anthem Way and Sunset Point
  • Employees who use I-17 or any bridge that travels over the interstate to get to and from their location
  • Vendors and suppliers traveling on I-17 to access your business
  • Customers who use I-17 to get to and from your location

Tips to map out your plans:

  • Coordinate with employees, coworkers, clients and others so they know to plan ahead if they’re visiting your business.
  • Businesses should provide employees, delivery companies and customers with alternate travel plans, and create a plan for time-sensitive situations.
  • Explore the online, interactive map to see scheduled road closures and detours.
  • Sign up for project email alerts.

ADOT is making significant improvements to I-17, one of the most heavily traveled roadways in Arizona. As the primary connection between the metro-Phoenix region and Prescott, Sedona, Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon and other great travel destinations, traffic can become highly congested, particularly on weekends. Improvements for this project stretch between Anthem Way (just north of Phoenix) to Sunset Point (about 10 miles south of State Route 69) and will improve traffic flow and safety.

Traveling through the state or visiting for a short time? Here’s what you should know:

  • Construction began in 2022 and is anticipated to last for approximately three years. To minimize the impact on travelers, lane closures are not scheduled on weekends, so you can travel on I-17 during peak travel days and times with limited construction impacts or restrictions.
  • Construction will occur primarily during weekdays. Work that requires lane closures will be scheduled on weeknights between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays on the southbound side and Sundays through Thursdays on the northbound side. There will be no scheduled lane closures on weekends so I-17 is not impacted by construction during peak travel days and times.
  • Although project team members are doing their best to minimize impacts, travelers should expect delays along the interstate, so plan ahead. It’s still a construction zone!
  • Ready to hit the road? Call 511, check the AZ 511 app, visit az511.gov to learn about ongoing construction activities and current delays before heading out.

Hey Neighbor! ADOT is making significant improvements to I-17 between Anthem Way to Sunset Point. While the project team will try to limit construction impacts, keep an eye out for the following activities and plan ahead:

  • Daytime and overnight construction activities
  • Traffic detours
  • Interstate closures (primarily during weeknights, Sundays through Thursdays on the northbound side and Mondays through Thursdays on the southbound side).
  • Intersection and bridge closures
  • Controlled rock blasting
  • Construction noise (e.g., rock blasting and crushing, equipment)
  • Construction lighting
  • Speed limit reduced to 65 MPH, 55 MPH in active work zones

ADOT began construction in 2022. Stay up to date on the latest construction-related impacts by subscribing for email updates.

Most construction activities will occur adjacent to I-17 during weekdays, so plan ahead for your daily commute and hit the road a little early. Work that requires lane closures will be scheduled on weeknights, Mondays through Thursdays on the southbound side and Sundays through Thursdays on the northbound side. Closures will begin no earlier than 7 p.m., with the interstate reopening no later than 6 a.m.

  • Construction that does not impact travel will occur adjacent to I-17 travel lanes on weekdays and weekends. Although I-17 will not be closed during these times, delays are possible as drivers pass by the active work zone.
  • Be aware that controlled rock blasting and intersection and bridge closures will occur while construction is underway and could impact your travel plans.

The project team will keep the public and daily commuters informed of all closures, restrictions and detours so stay up-to-date on the latest traffic impacts by signing up for project email updates and encourage your co-workers to do the same!

I-17 north of Phoenix is one of the most heavily traveled roadways in Arizona, especially on weekends. This is why lane closures will be scheduled primarily on weeknights, Sundays through Thursdays on the northbound side and Mondays through Thursdays on the southbound side. Keep in mind, just because the roadway isn’t closed doesn’t mean construction isn’t underway! Be cautious of construction personnel and equipment working adjacent to travel lanes. Also, a weekend restriction or closure could occur in case of an emergency or unplanned event.

Spend weekends traveling? Here’s what to expect:

  • Crews hard at work near I-17 travel lanes (who would like to get home safely, just like you!).
  • No anticipated scheduled closures on the weekends.
  • Interstate closures (mostly during weeknights, Mondays through Thursdays southbound and Sundays through Thursdays northbound).
  • Controlled rock blasting.
  • Intersection and bridge closures.

Plan ahead for your adventures:

Sign up to receive email updates to stay up to date on project information. Ready to ride? Call 511 or visit az511.gov prior to hitting the road!

Project Benefits

The section of I-17 between Anthem Way and Sunset Point is one of the most heavily utilized roadways in Arizona, with more than 1 million travelers each year. This project will help improve I-17 for motorists, businesses, visitors and others. For example:

This project will reduce congestion, which helps to improve safety by creating more space between vehicles.

With the addition of new travel lanes from Anthem Way to Black Canyon City and flex lanes from Black Canyon City to Sunset Point, capacity on the I-17 will increase in both directions. This will better accommodate existing traffic and increased traffic as the demand on I-17 continues to grow.

This stretch of road sees heavy usage during weekends, causing long delays. These improvements will increase capacity and alleviate congestion. Greater efficiency means drivers can get to and from the places they need to be in less time, and more safely.

The addition of the flex lanes will allow traffic to move more efficiently and reduce travel times. In the event of a crash that blocks lanes, the new flex and general purpose lanes will make it easier for motorists to travel safely through the affected areas and prevent miles-long backups.

Each year, more than $300 billion in goods are shipped to and from Arizona. I-17 is identified as one of the state’s key commerce corridors, moving people and goods between southern and northern Arizona. This vital highway also connects to I-10 and I-40, two of the nation’s principal east-west interstate highways. I-10 and I-40 are also two of Arizona’s key commerce corridors and are essential for future, quality economic growth in Arizona. This project will help make I-17 a more favorable route for commercial truck drivers whose travels through the region support our local businesses.


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