Phoenix-bound traffic returns to normal on Interstate 17 southbound
May 25, 2020, 8:55 PM | Updated: 9:11 pm
(Facebook Photo/Arizona Department of Transportation)
(Facebook Photo/Arizona Department of Transportation)
PHOENIX — The Memorial Day traffic congestion on Interstate-17 southbound has finally diminished, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Traffic officially returned to normal between Sunset Point and Black Canyon City around 8:50 p.m., according to a press release.
Holiday drivers had initially experienced heavy traffic as they made their way back into Phoenix on Interstate 17 southbound, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
The traffic congestion originally extended roughly 18 miles from milepost 256 in the area of Bumble Bee to north of New River near milepost 239, according to a press release.
*UPDATE*
I-17 southbound: The delays between Sunset Point and Black Canyon City have dissipated and traffic is currently running smoothly.
We are seeing just a bit of slowing on the northbound side, but nothing major.#aztraffic #I17 pic.twitter.com/k4MHGuU74K
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) May 26, 2020
Reports of heavy traffic in the impacted area began around 5:30 p.m.
I-17 SB: There is very heavy traffic starting at Bumble Bee, and continuing to just north of New River. The slowing is at least 18 miles.#aztraffic #i17 pic.twitter.com/0KDAcfX7Vj
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) May 26, 2020
About two hours later, ADOT reported that the heavy traffic congestion had decreased slightly as drivers now faced an eight-mile stretch of slowed travel.
**UPDATE The slowing is down to about eight miles currently.#aztraffic https://t.co/sgglP2Lhlq
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) May 26, 2020
The Phoenix-bound traffic delay was reported to be located primarily between milepost 246 and milepost 238 of I-17 southbound, according to a press release.
The delayed traffic was made public after ADOT had announced several delays on I-17 earlier in the day.
A crash near State Route 179 at milepost 300 was reported by ADOT 12:30 p.m. and initially backed up traffic for eight miles. Traffic was not said to have diminished in the area for nearly two hours.
Backup is starting to diminish.#aztraffic #i17 https://t.co/ouVAUS7VPV
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) May 25, 2020
Heavy traffic backup on I-17 near mile post 286 was also 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
