Agency wants public input on widening I-17 north of Phoenix
Mar 21, 2018, 4:01 AM
(Flickr Photo/Arizona Department of Transportation)
PHOENIX — Motorists may soon enjoy some additional lanes on Interstate 17 north of the Phoenix area, but a state agency wants to let the public weigh in on the plan first.
In a release, the Arizona Department of Transportation said it would hold a public meeting in Black Canyon City early next month about the potential project.
The topic up for debate will be adding a lane in each direction along the 23-mile stretch of freeway between Anthem Way and the Sunset Point Rest Area.
The agency was also considering adding flex lanes that can be used for traffic going in either direction based on traffic patterns, such as the surge of people that head north from the Valley on holiday weekends.
Construction would likely begin in three years, should the projects pass the approval process.
ADOT had already begun a $62 million improvement project on State Route 260, the primary road between I-17 and Cottonwood. That work could be done by the end of this year.
The meeting will be held at Canon Elementary School, located near School Loop and Velda Rose roads, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on April 3.
Those who cannot attend can send in written comments to projects@azdot.gov or mail them to ADOT Communications, 1655 W. Jackson St., Mail Drop 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007.