PHOENIX – Drivers planning to use northbound Interstate 17 in north Phoenix this weekend should plan for slow traffic and delays when the freeway is narrowed to one lane near Loop 303, state transportation officials said.

Northbound Interstate 17 will be narrowed to one lane between Loop 303 and State Route 74 in north Phoenix from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 27-30.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is continuing a project to improve the pavement along I-17 between Happy Valley Road and State Route 74.

Drivers traveling on northbound I-17 this weekend should allow extra time, travel during non-peak morning or nighttime hours and, if possible, consider traveling before the work starts Friday night, according to an ADOT release. 

ADOT is taking several steps to assist travelers and those living in the area:

• Neighborhood streets along North Valley Parkway will be limited to local traffic only.
• Not allowing right turns from the northbound I-17 off-ramp to eastbound Jomax Road (to discourage neighborhood cut-through traffic and help with overall traffic flow in the area).
• Law enforcement officers and ADOT personnel will be positioned at several locations to help manage traffic conditions, including near the Happy Valley Road intersections at Norterra Parkway and 19th Avenue east of I-17.

Dixileta Drive will be closed at 27th Avenue near the city of Phoenix’s solid waste transfer station to reduce cut-through traffic, transportation officials said.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.