Interstate 17 southbound traffic backup begins to diminish following crash

PHOENIX — A crash on Interstate 17 southbound caused heavy traffic delays Monday afternoon, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Around 12:30 p.m., the right lane and shoulder at milepost 300 — near State Route 179 — were both closed, resulting in a roughly 8-mile traffic backup south of Flagstaff, according to a press release.

For the first time since the I-17 southbound crash had been reported, traffic backup was finally said to be diminishing around 2:20 p.m.

Backup is starting to diminish.#aztraffic #i17 https://t.co/ouVAUS7VPV

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) May 25, 2020

At about 1 p.m., ADOT said only the right lane had reopened and traffic backup was still reported to be very heavy.

**UPDATE: The right lane has reopened; the backup is still very heavy.#aztraffic #i17 https://t.co/iNmbGgrsQa

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) May 25, 2020

ADOT initially reported crews were in the process of clearing the lane as soon as possible.

I-17 SB, MP 300 (near SR 179): A crash is blocking the right lane and shoulder; there is roughly an eight-mile backup. No estimated time to clear the queue.

(Photo: ADOT)#aztraffic #i17 pic.twitter.com/AgPx56EkSu

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) May 25, 2020

At approximately, 2 p.m., ADOT reported that traffic in the impacted area was still heavily backed up.

The traffic is still very heavy on I-17 SB near an earlier crash at MP 300. #aztraffic #i17 pic.twitter.com/XaYc1h3MM7

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) May 25, 2020

Heavy traffic backup on I-17 near mile post 286 was reported by ADOT around 3:30 p.m.

Heavy backup on I-17 SB near MP 286 (near Montezuma Castle National Monument) …#aztraffic #i17 pic.twitter.com/JiApCnl76U

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) May 25, 2020

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