Project Starts To Replace I-17 Bridge Over Central Avenue In Phoenix 

By on April 30, 2020 0 979Views

Drivers should plan for work zone restrictions.

A section of Interstate 17 south of downtown Phoenix will be restricted starting this weekend through fall 2021 for a freeway bridge replacement project.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is set to begin a $13.5 million project to improve the I-17 bridge over Central Avenue.

The existing bridge, which first opened to traffic in 1962, will be replaced by a modern structure with increased clearance for commercial trucks traveling beneath it as well as Valley Metro’s future Central Avenue light rail line.

I-17 will be narrowed to two lanes in both directions as the project proceeds with work zones in place after this weekend. Additional closures also will be scheduled for the bridge replacement work.

The freeway will be closed as follows starting Friday night, May 1:

Southbound I-17 closed at Seventh Avenue from 10 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Sunday, May 2. Both I-10 ramps to southbound I-17 at the “Stack” interchange closed. Southbound I-17 on-ramps at Grant Street and 19th and Seventh avenues closed. DETOUR: Southbound I-17 traffic exiting at Seventh Avenue will detour along frontage road and can return to I-17 at Seventh Street. Alternate routes include eastbound I-10 through downtown Phoenix area.

Northbound I-17 closed between the I-17 “Split” interchange near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Seventh Avenue from 3 a.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday, May 4. DETOUR: Traffic can detour to westbound I-10 through downtown Phoenix area.

The project is scheduled for completion in fall 2021. Drivers can consider using I-10 as an alternate freeway route. Additional information is available at azdot.gov/I17CentralBridge.

With state highways essential to delivering goods and services, ADOT, its employees and contractor partners are dedicated to delivering transportation improvement projects during the current public health situation. To learn more please visit azdot.gov/covid-19-resource-center.