The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for overnight closures of Interstate 17 in Flagstaff from Monday, June 17, to Thursday, June 20, as crews continue work on a new bridge at the John Wesley Powell Boulevard interchange. The closure dates of north- and southbound I-17 will be staggered so the entire roadway will not be closed at the same time.
Drivers should allow extra travel time while the following restrictions are in place from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.:
Monday, June 17, and Tuesday, June 18:
- Northbound I-17 will be closed at the John Wesley Powell Boulevard interchange (exit 337). Northbound I-17 will also be narrowed to one lane (left lane closed) as traffic approaches the interchange beginning at 5 p.m.
- Drivers will use the off- and on-ramps at John Wesley Powell Boulevard to exit and re-enter the interstate.
- Drivers can turn right on John Wesley Powell Boulevard to access Flagstaff Pulliam Airport.
- Drivers looking to access State Route 89A and the Fort Tuthill Recreation area will need to take I-17 north to McConnell Drive, and then proceed southbound on I-17 to the John Wesley Powell Boulevard interchange.
- The John Wesley Powell Boulevard overpass will also be closed to motor vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists.
- The speed limit will be reduced to 35 mph.
Wednesday, June 19, and Thursday, June 20:
- Southbound I-17 will be closed at the John Wesley Powell Boulevard interchange (exit 337). Southbound I-17 will be narrowed to one lane (left lane closed) as traffic approaches the interchange beginning at 5 p.m.
- Drivers will use the off- and on-ramps at John Wesley Powell Boulevard to exit and re-enter the interstate.
- Drivers can turn right on John Wesley Powell Boulevard to access SR 89A and the Fort Tuthill Recreation area.
- Drivers looking to access the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport will need to take I-17 south to Kachina Boulevard, and then proceed northbound on I-17 to the John Wesley Powell Boulevard interchange.
- The John Wesley Powell Boulevard overpass will be closed to motor vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists.
- The speed limit will be reduced to 35 mph.
The closures are needed so crews can place the bridge girders for the new bridge. Girders are the horizontal beams that support the deck of a bridge and serve as the primary structural support of a bridge.
As a reminder, the John Wesley Powell Boulevard overpass is closed to pedestrians and bicyclists during construction. Pedestrians and bicyclists looking to cross I-17 can use the Sheep’s Crossing underpass located less than half a mile north of the interchange.
