For those hitting the road across the Arizona landscape this coming Labor Day weekend, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has relayed some welcome news: no state highway closures will disrupt travel plans. ADOT confirms that the customary work on various highway improvement projects will pause from Friday afternoon, Aug. 29, through late Monday night, Sept. 1.
However, drivers should still prep for peak travel on Friday and Monday afternoons, armed with patience for potential unscheduled closures due to crashes or other unexpected events. As scheduled, the I-17 flex lanes will aim to soothe congestion, open for northbound traffic on Friday and Saturday, and southbound traffic on Sunday and Monday, serving as a reminder by ADOT to travelers of possible delays, particularly on the busy highways leading in and out of the Phoenix and Tucson areas.
Preparedness is the name of the game, with ADOT suggesting drivers should pack an emergency kit replete with items such as extra drinking water, blankets, and a flashlight, among other essentials. To help mitigate the stress and the specter of changing weather conditions, which may include blowing dust, ADOT also recommends carrying a hat, sunglasses, and an umbrella in one's vehicle. For full details on how to travel safely in hot weather and what to include in your kit, check the ADOT website.
Driving tips haven't been left off the itinerary either. ADOT urges safe driving practices: avoiding distractions, checking one's vehicle state before embarking, getting ample rest before long drives, and reserving a designated driver if partaking in festivities. Importantly, if hauling trailers, ADOT stresses securing chains properly to prevent sparks that could ignite brush fires. And as holiday traffic swells, drivers should maintain a vigil against settling in areas with grasses and brush where hot vehicle components can provoke a fire.
The Incident Response Unit (IRU), sponsored by GEICO, will be patrolling Phoenix-area freeways to assist where needed. To stay updated with live traffic updates, drivers are encouraged to visit the AZ511 website, download the az511 app, or follow the updates on @ArizonaDOT's X feed.
