PHOENIX – Freeways will be unaffected by construction work over the weekend, but state transportation officials advise drivers to keep safety in mind during holiday road trips.

The Arizona Department of Transportation has not scheduled any work along highways but tells motorists to allow extra time during peak travel periods, including Thursday afternoon, July 3, and Sunday afternoon and evening, July 6. 

“Drivers should still expect the unexpected, including unscheduled highway closures due to crashes, disabled vehicles, wildfires or other incidents,” ADOT officials stated in a release. 

ADOT anticipates heavy traffic and possible delays on highways in and out of the Phoenix and Tucson areas during peak holiday weekend travel times. That includes the Interstate 17 improvement project work zone between Anthem Way and the Sunset Point Rest Area north of Phoenix.

Other highways expected to be busy at times include State Route 87 between Fountain Hills and Payson, US 93 between Wickenburg and Hoover Dam, I-10 between Tucson and Phoenix and I-8 and I-10 between the Valley and the California state line.

ADOT will have personnel ready to respond to incidents along highways over the holiday weekend, agency officials said. In addition to on-call statewide maintenance crews, the ADOT Incident Response Unit patrols freeways in Maricopa County from 4 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.

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