I-17 to be restricted, no scheduled highway closures over Christmas weekend

PHOENIX — Motorists, the Arizona Department of Transportation has a special present for you this Christmas weekend: No scheduled highway closures.

But transportation officials said existing work-zone restrictions will remain in place over the weekend, including the narrowing of southbound Interstate 17.

The southbound highway will be restricted to one lane at Orme Road between state routes 169 and 69 until Christmas Eve in order to make “critically needed” repairs at the bridge, according to ADOT. Northbound travel will not be effected.

Department officials typically delay construction that requires lane closures on holiday weekends, but engineers said the repairs must be completed immediately.

ADOT officials said they hope to complete the repairs by Christmas Eve, but warned that bad weather may delay their progress and prolong the lane restrictions.

In addition, lane restrictions will take place on Interstate 19 near Tucson and Interstate 40 near the Arizona-California border.

Per usual, ADOT has taken to the Christmas spirit and began displaying holiday-themed messages on Arizona highways to get drivers to pay attention and stay safe over the weekend.

Play nice with other drivers, don't be banished to the island of misfit toys. pic.twitter.com/xFDCf6WUUr

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) December 22, 2016

And if you want to celebrate the holiday weekend in a responsible manner, the ride-sharing app Uber has partnered with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to offer users affordable rides, reduce DUIs and keep the highways safe.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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