Travelers along Interstate 17 south of Flagstaff should brace for traffic shifts as Arizona embarks on a construction project aimed at creating safer passage for wildlife. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has announced that lane restrictions will commence this week as part of the $15.8 million wildlife overpass project.
ADOT alerted drivers about the narrowing of I-17 to one lane in each direction between mileposts 326-328, advising motorists to anticipate slowdowns, remain vigilant, and merge cautiously through the bustling work area. With the heaviest traffic expected during weekends, travelers might need to factor in additional time when heading through this corridor.
In a collaboration with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, ADOT aims to reduce vehicle-wildlife collisions with this overpass. As per their announcement, crews are currently installing temporary concrete barrier walls to protect the construction zone. The bridge, which is to be clad in earth and indigenous flora, will provide a 100-foot-wide crossing over the highway.
Funding for the overpass largely comes from the Federal Highway Administration’s Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, ensuring that a viable solution springs to life for the region's animal inhabitants, including its abundant elk and deer populations. The structure, which is composed of two spans supported by steel-reinforced concrete girders, promises to be a robust addition to the landscape when it is completed by fall 2026.
The project addresses a serious safety issue; the target area accounted for more than half of wildlife-related crashes on a 32-mile stretch of I-17 near Flagstaff from 2018 to 2022, with crashes involving elk, who can weigh upwards of 1,100 pounds, comprising three-quarters of these incidents. To minimize disruptions, ADOT plans to construct temporary median crossovers in the future, allowing traffic redirection as necessary.
For those seeking the most current highway conditions, ADOT maintains real-time updates on its Arizona Traveler Information Site at az511.gov, with a free mobile app available for Apple and Android devices.
