Arizona DOT planning I-17 improvements north of Phoenix

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has entered into negotiations with the apparent preferred developer to make improvements to I-17 between Anthem Way and Sunset Point.

ADOT says this stretch of highway sees more than one million travelers every year. The department selected Kiewit-Fann Joint Venture as the preferred developer. Key members of the development team include Kiewit Infrastructure West Co.; Fann Contracting Inc.; Kiewit Engineering Group Inc.; DBI Services LLC; CONSOR Engineers LLC dba Apex Design; T.Y. Lin International; Lee Engineering; Terracon Consultants Inc.; Wheat Design Group, Inc.; Y2K Engineering; and Pinyon Environmental Inc.

This project will improve 23 miles of I-17, including 15 miles of roadway widening, two bridge replacements, one bridge deck replacement, 10 bridge widenings, and the installation of an 8-mile flex lane system—a new feature for Arizona’s highway system. Flex lanes are designed to help reduce congestion on I-17 during peak travel times and allow for traffic movement during emergency situations.

“The vision of the Arizona Department of Transportation is moving Arizona to become the most reliable transportation system in the nation,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said in a statement. “The I-17 project represents that vision and is a profound step toward enhancing the safety and efficiency of one of Arizona’s most iconic highways. ADOT is committed to innovative solutions to improve our highways, and this unique and creative project is a perfect example. It supports ADOT’s True North of getting everyone safely home.”

ADOT has begun contract negotiations, and, pending a final contract, anticipates design and construction will begin in 2022. Highway construction is expected to take approximately three years. Construction crews are aiming to minimize impacts to the traveling public while work is underway. On busy days, this stretch of I-17 can see more than 50,000 drivers a day.

The I-17 flex lanes will operate as a separate, two-lane roadway carrying one direction of traffic at a time depending on the greatest need along the steep, winding eight miles between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point.