Weekend traffic will get messy on I-17 southbound in north Valley, here's what you need to know
Phoenix, Arizona: Drivers planning to use southbound Interstate 17 in the north Valley this weekend should budget extra time with pavement improvement work reducing the freeway to one lane at Loop 303/Sonoran Desert Drive and with traffic exiting and re-entering at Jomax Road. The lane restrictions and the closure at Jomax Road, with traffic using the off- and on-ramps, are scheduled to begin at 9pm Friday and end by 5am Monday, July 15.
Expected delays, especially in the afternoon and early evening on Saturday and Sunday. Drivers may want to travel through the area earlier or later to avoid delays.
Here's what you need to know at a glance
Pavement Improvement Work:
Location: Southbound Interstate 17 (I-17) at Loop 303/Sonoran Desert Drive.
Impact: Freeway reduced to one lane, traffic exiting and re-entering at Jomax Road.
Schedule: Start: 9pm Friday and ends at 5am Monday, July 15.
Additional Work: Wednesday and Thursday nights, July 10 and 11, from 9pm to 5am.
Traffic Considerations:
Why the closures?
The aim of the project is to improve six miles of I-17 between Happy Valley Road and State Route 74 by replacing bridge deck joints, removing old asphalt, and diamond grinding the remaining concrete surface.
Jomax is going to be a mess
East- and westbound Jomax Road closed at I-17. Southbound I-17 drivers wanting to access Jomax Road should continue to Happy Valley Road and use northbound 19th Avenue. Drivers entering southbound I-17 at Jomax Road will be directed onto northbound I-17 to Loop 303/Sonoran Desert Drive.
There will also be additional closures: Southbound I-17 off-ramp at Loop 303/Sonoran Desert Drive will be closed from 9pm Friday until 8am Saturday, July 13, and closed from 9pm Saturday until 5am Sunday, July 14.
Southbound I-17 narrowed to one lane between Loop 303 and Dixileta Drive on Wednesday and Thursday nights, July 10 and 11, from 9pm to 5am. Southbound I-17 on-ramp at Loop 303/Sonoran Desert Drive closed during the same hours.