Drivers encouraged to allow extra travel time for trips home at end of holiday weekend

PHOENIX — Travelers heading home on state highways to wrap up the holiday weekend are encouraged to allow extra travel time and get an earlier start due to anticipated heavy traffic Sunday afternoon and evening (November 28). The Arizona Department of Transportation says traffic backups can be expected approaching some existing work zones, although construction work will not resume until next week. Among the safety improvement locations where delays should be anticipated:

Interstate 10 approximately 11 miles west of the State Route 85 junction west of the Phoenix area: A major bridge repair project at the Hassayampa River has required the closure of the westbound I-10 bridge. I-10 is limited to one lane in each direction on the eastbound bridge. Drivers are encouraged to allow at least 90 minutes of extra travel time in the area Sunday afternoon and evening due to busy traffic conditions. Travelers also can consider alternate routes, including US 60 through Wickenburg and Salome to travel beyond the bridge repair site. The US 60 junction with I-10 is east of Quartzsite in western Arizona.

State Route 87 between the Phoenix area and Payson: A highway widening and shoulder improvement project five miles north of the Bush Highway/Saguaro Lake turnoff (south of Sunflower) limits travel to one lane in each direction. Heavier traffic, especially in the southbound direction, should be expected.

Grand Avenue (US 60) in the Phoenix region: New lanes were opened Wednesday (November 24) between 83rd Avenue and Loop 101. However, an existing work zone with limited lanes remains in place between Loop 101 and Loop 303.

Interstate 17 between Flagstaff and Phoenix: Although no major lane restrictions are in place this weekend, drivers are encouraged to allow extra travel time Sunday due to anticipated heavier traffic.

ADOT reminds drivers to remember the following safe driving tips: Be patient, do not follow other vehicles too closely; obey speed limits; buckle up and never drive while impaired. Information about highway conditions is available on ADOT's Travel Information site at www.az511.gov or by calling 5-1-1.