PHOENIX – State transportation officials expect the network of highways across Arizona to be busy beginning Nov. 27 and will not be doing any construction work that might impede travelers over the holiday weekend.

ADOT and its contractors will not schedule any full construction or maintenance closures on state highways from Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 27, to Monday morning, Dec. 2.

ADOT asks drivers to prepare for Thanksgiving weekend trips ahead of time and “expect the unexpected” while focusing on checking their vehicles, being patient and staying alert when on the road, transportation officials stated in a release.

Busier holiday traffic highways will include Interstate 17 and State Route 87 north of the Phoenix area as well as I-10 in areas between the Tucson or Phoenix metro areas and California. 

Heavier traffic is expected during peak travel times including Wednesday and Sunday afternoons.

Officials urged drivers to slow down when approaching crash scenes or other incidents to help protect law enforcement, ADOT personnel and other emergency crews who have responded to aid victims.

Fifteen people were killed last year in a total of 14 fatal crashes on all Arizona roads, including local streets, over the Thanksgiving weekend, according to ADOT. Four of those fatalities occurred in three crashes listed as alcohol related.

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