PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has selected a preferred developer for a 23-mile improvement project on Interstate 17 between Phoenix and the Highlands. The project aims to alleviate traffic jams that regularly plague Valley travelers on weekend trips to the Prescott, Sedona and Flagstaff areas. ADOT said Tuesday that it is negotiating with the Kiewit-Fann joint venture to design, build, operate, and maintain the over $ 300 million improvements that include 8 miles of flex lanes between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point be, stands. “These are two lanes next to the existing lanes to the south, but separate from these existing lanes, two lanes that allow traffic to drive in both directions, depending on the greatest need, depending on the rush hour or in the event of an accident or maybe a weather-related incident, “ADOT spokeswoman Laura Douglas told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Mike Broomhead Show on Wednesday. “So this is something that really enables traffic, reduces traffic jams and increases capacity in this busy area.” A concrete barrier separates the flex lanes from the existing lanes, with access being controlled through gates. “For example, if you go into Flagstaff on a Friday afternoon, those flex lanes going north will open up to complement the existing north lanes so we can move traffic and get people up the hill,” said Douglas. “And when it’s Sunday afternoon and everyone is driving back to Phoenix … in addition to the existing lanes to the south, we can also open these flex lanes to the south to move people and reduce all these traffic jams.” The project also includes that Expansion of I-17 from two lanes to three lanes in each direction for 15 miles between Anthem Way in north Phoenix and Black Canyon City. Douglas said that due to the mountainous terrain, there is no room to add a permanent lane to I-17 north of Black Canyon City, north of Black Canyon City. She said construction is expected to begin next year and will last three years, with most of the work scheduled for weekdays and lane closures limited to night time. “There will be no lane closures on weekends and this will allow access to this corridor during the main travel days and times,” she said. According to ADOT, more than a million travelers use I-17 north of Phoenix every year, sometimes with more than 50,000 drivers per day. The improvement project, which has been in progress since 2019, is financed by federal, state and state funds. Follow @ ktar923
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