Northbound Interstate 17 north of Phoenix open after police situation

PHOENIX — The northbound lanes of Interstate 17 were shut down for about an hour on Monday morning north of the Phoenix area for a police situation, the Arizona Department of Transportation said.

The lanes were closed just before 9:30 a.m. near milepost 232, which is just outside of New River, while the Department of Public Safety investigated a possible pipe bomb.

The possible device turned out to be an empty PVC pipe.

Drivers were asked to delay travel or prepare for lengthy delays, though the road was reopened about an hour later.

Those looking to avoid the closure or ensuing backup were asked to use State Route 87 or State Route 74 to head to the northern part of the state, though the detours were slightly complex.

Update: I-17 NB at New River remains closed for police activity at MP 232. Alt routes: SR 87 to SR 260 to Camp Verde or SR 74 to US 60 to US 93 to SR 89 to SR 69 to I-17. #aztraffic

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) March 5, 2018

A crash closed the northbound lanes of the freeway in the same spot last week. The backup stretched for miles.

Freeway cameras showed traffic was beginning to stack up as far back as Anthem.

Related

Northbound Loop 101 Pima Freeway reopens near Tempe-Scottsdale border after crash‘Really hypocritical’: Jay Feely hits Amish Shah on data centers but agrees on water policyPinal County Sheriff’s Office investigating death of 19-year-old manWATCH: Jay Feely, Amish Shah debate differing visions for Arizona 1st Congressional DistrictPolice investigating after early-morning shooting in Phoenix leaves 2 men deadCongressional candidate Bernadette Greene-Placentia reports sexual assault