See how Interstate 17’s new flex lanes are going to work

By Sky Schaudt
Published: Thursday, June 29, 2023 - 11:01am
Updated: Thursday, June 29, 2023 - 11:27am

construction on i-17 flex lanes
Arizona Department of Transportation
Flex lanes under construction on Interstate 17 north of Phoenix.

Crews have been working on the project to widen and add flex lanes to an often congested part of Interstate 17 north of Phoenix.

On Thursday, Arizona Department of Transportation officials released a video explaining how those flex lanes are actually going to work.

According to ADOT:

“The two-lane flex lane system is being constructed adjacent to the existing southbound lanes and will carry one direction of traffic at a time. The flex lanes are a proven system that safely addresses traffic congestion during peak travel times, or if an unplanned incident creates delays. Typically, the flex lanes will be open to northbound traffic Monday through Saturday, and open to southbound traffic on Sunday. However, the flex lanes will be open, as needed, to whichever direction has the heaviest traffic. They will be operational at all times, seven days a week.”

Officials predict the entire project will be done in 2025.

KJZZ’s Matthew Casey contributed to this report.

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