ADOT awarded $90M grant to fund Interstate 17 expansion

PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation was awarded a $90 million federal grant toward the expansion of Interstate 17 north of Phoenix, it was announced Monday.

The funding will go toward adding a lane on each side of the highway on a 23-mile stretch between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point, according to a press release.

The project is expected to cost $320 million, the release said.

“This is exciting news for Arizona and our growing economy,” Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said in the release. “This additional funding will expand Interstate 17 in a critical commerce corridor, helping reduce congestion, improve traffic flow and increase public safety.”

U.S. Senators Martha McSally and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona played a role in securing the grant, sending letters to the Department of Transportation in February urging the department to help fund ADOT’s project.

Construction for the project is scheduled to begin by 2021 and completed in 2023, according to the release.

“Today’s announcement will make our roads safer and fuel Arizona jobs and business opportunities,” Sinema said in a release. “I will continue supporting increased infrastructure investment in our state.”

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