ARIZONA, USA — Motorists were advised to take a different route than Interstate 17 this weekend, or prepare for a much longer travel time, as travelers flooded roads and recreation areas for Memorial Day Weekend, the Arizona Department of Transportation said.
The department listed many recreation areas are now closed due to crowding. The closed recreation areas that have been closed include:
- Saguaro Lake
- Usery Mountain
- Bush Highway
- Lake Pleasant
Reopened:
- Butcher Jones
- NB Power at Thomas Road
- Pebble Beach
- Water Users
- Blue Point
The interstate was reported to be backed up for 15 miles on Saturday as holiday travelers set out to enjoy the long weekend, ADOT said. The back-up ran from Anthem to Black Canyon as drivers headed north.
Southbound drivers experienced a six-mile backup on I-17 Sunday evening from just past State Route 69 to past Black Canyon City.
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