No Phoenix-area freeway closures, restrictions set for Memorial Day weekend
May 26, 2017, 4:04 AM
(Flickr Photo/Alan Stark)
PHOENIX — It’s your lucky weekend: After weeks of freeway closures for construction in Phoenix, particularly along Interstate 17, there are no scheduled closures during Memorial Day weekend.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, “drivers will not face any construction-related closures along freeways in the Phoenix area over the Memorial Day weekend.”
“The Arizona Department of Transportation and its contractors will not schedule closures along Valley freeways or other state-maintained highways from Friday afternoon through late Monday night, May 29,” transportation officials said in a press release.
However, this does not mean the freeways will be immune to accident-related closures or restrictions, particularly since a greater amount of Arizonans are expected to use the roads this weekend.
Travel by both land and air is expected to increase this Memorial Day weekend compared to last year, Triple-A of Arizona officials said.
More than 787,000 Arizonans — the highest amount in 12 years — are expected to travel over the weekend, Triple-A of Arizona spokeswoman Michelle Donati said.
“Both auto and air travel are expected to increase over last year,” Donati said. “More than 690,000 Arizonans will drive to their destinations and more than 67,000 will fly.”
Transportation officials urge those who do choose to travel by car to “focus on safe driving” by getting rest, packing supplies, making sure your car is up to speed and using extra caution while on the road.