Holiday season brings relief from construction on Valley freeways

PHOENIX — The holiday season typically comes with a break from disruptive construction along the metro Phoenix freeway system.

The Arizona Department of Transportation already announced that no road closures are scheduled for the long Thanksgiving weekend.

And if ADOT follows the same blueprint as last year, Valley drivers will be seeing few if any construction-related restrictions again until the new year.

However, that doesn’t mean the roadways will be obstacle free.

About 1.43 million Arizonans are expected to travel by car during the 2024 Thanksgiving break, according to AAA.

As a result, motorists could encounter heavy traffic in the coming days, especially during the peak travel times of Wednesday and Sunday afternoon.

Tips for holiday season motorists

Drivers should make sure they are well-rested before embarking on road trips and never drive while impaired.

In 2023, 15 people died in collisions across Arizona over the four-day Thanksgiving weekend, ADOT said. Four of those deaths occurred in crashes where alcohol was a factor.

To mitigate the possibility of car trouble, motorists should check tire pressure, fluid levels and the condition of belts, hoses and windshield wipers before departing.

Holiday road trippers also are encouraged to pack an emergency kit of the following items in case they have to endure snarled traffic, disruptive weather or mechanical issues:

• Extra bottled water
• Snacks
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Blankets
• Warm clothing, including gloves
• First-aid kit
• Prescription medications
• Cellphone charger

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