Flagstaff drivers, take note: the J.W. Powell Blvd bridge over I-17 is gearing up for a serious makeover. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, an $8.2 million bridge reconstruction project is slated to kick off in early April, with work commencing the week of April 1—weather playing nice, that is.
This hefty infrastructure lift aims to construct a brand-spanking-new bridge right beside the old one, which has been allowing traffic to flow unimpeded near Flagstaff’s Pulliam Airport. But don't worry, the existing bridge won't just suddenly disappear; it'll stay open to traffic for the majority of the construction period. Drivers should, however, be ready to quickly adapt to temporary detours. ADOT targets a late-year wrap-up for the project.
From the break of dawn to dusk, the construction crew will be putting in work from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, and going half-day on Fridays from 5 a.m. to noon. There's a silver lining for weekend travelers and holidaygoers—no construction hassles to ruin those precious days off.
Should you be a nighttime driver, you'll want to keep your ears to the ground on the potential overnight restrictions along I-17, including the dread of all dreads, and closures. If it comes down to it, traffic will have to quickly learn to take the off- and on-ramps at the J.W. Powell Boulevard interchange. ADOT warns that pedestrians and cyclists will need to seek alternate paths from April 3 till construction's end as the boulevard over I-17 will be off-limits.
Furthermore, the two roundabouts located west of the standing bridge are staying open for business. Drivers, though, will need to navigate realigned approaches within the interchange to match the new bridge's location. Vigilance will be key when passing through these zones, with construction activities bustling and the occasional flag crew directing the flow.
For those on the go or planning their route, ADOT keeps the public in the loop with real-time highway conditions through their Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov and via the AZ511 app, available for both Apple and Android devices. For the Twitter-inclined, @ArizonaDOT provides highway condition updates worth checking out.
