PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation is warning motorists that this upcoming weekend will be another "rough" one due to a scheduled closure on Interstate 17 in north Phoenix.
A section of the freeway's southbound lane was closed this past weekend to allow for pavement work, which forced motorists to take a detour along State Route 74. The closure was between SR-74 and the Loop 303.
Some Valley residents contacted 12News about the traffic "nightmare" caused by the I-17 closure and accused ADOT of not properly planning the detours.
In a statement, ADOT told 12News it wants to limit what motorists had experienced during the last closure and will try to keep drivers on the primary detour route when the northbound lane closes from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday.
"We're focused on learning from what happened over the weekend and working with the local community, law enforcement and our contractor to determine what steps might help cut down on I-17 drivers diverting onto the local streets," the agency wrote in a statement.
ADOT said travelers headed north on I-17 should try to get on the freeway by Friday evening before the closure starts or attempt to drive in the early morning hours when traffic volumes will be lighter.
And unlike last weekend, the freeway's northbound frontage road will be used as a primary detour route for this weekend's I-17 closure.
ADOT officials said drivers should not use local streets like Sonoran Desert Drive and North Valley Parkway as alternate routes.
Drivers are encouraged to pack an emergency kit with drinking water in case they get stuck in traffic.
Two more I-17 closures are expected to take place in June.
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
UP TO SPEED
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.