Arizona gets $90 million to widen Interstate 17

Arizona landed $90 million in federal grants for a project to widen Interstate 17 north of Phoenix in hopes of easing congestion and cutting down on the number of wrecks, according to Gov. Doug Ducey’s office.

It’s part of a $320 million project led by the Arizona Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration to add lanes along 23 miles of I-17, from Anthem Way to Sunset Point.

The project will also add eight miles of “flex lanes” — lanes that will carry traffic north on Fridays and Saturdays but south on Sundays — between Black Canyon City and the Sunset Point Rest Area.

“This additional funding will expand Interstate 17 in a critical commerce corridor, helping reduce congestion, improve traffic flow and increase public safety,” Ducey said in a statement.

How will flex lanes work?

The new flex lanes will sit next to the existing southbound lanes, separated by a concrete barrier. Depending on the day, traffic will south on them.

ADOT will also add a third southbound lane from Anthem to Black Canyon City, The Arizona Republic reported in 2018.

Officials at the time said the flex lanes were needed because of an especially problematic 45-mile stretch of highway between Anthem and Cordes Junction.

As many as 40,000 cars travel that corridor daily, and as many as 55,000 to 65,000 travel it on weekends, The Republic reported.

“There are no reasonable alternative routes when traffic on I-17 is impacted. That’s why this is both a state and national priority,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said in a statement. either head north

Construction to start in 2021

or

While officials laud the I-17 expansion, don’t expect to hop on a flex lane anytime soon.

Construction is scheduled to start in 2021 and won’t be completed until 2023, according to Ducey’s office.