ADOT seeks input on alternate to I‑17
by Kathleen Stinson

NORTH VALLEY – The state transportation department is holding a series of public meetings to discuss an alternative route to Flagstaff from  Interstate 10.

Presently, the only direct route north is Interstate 17, which presents practical limitations. A single accident can delay traffic for hours, notes Doug Nintzel, spokesman for the Arizona Department of Transportation.

A public input meeting with ADOT representatives is scheduled from 5:30‑6:30 p.m. June 6 at Boulder Creek High School in Anthem.

Nintzel points out ADOT does not have any particular alternate route, if any, in mind at this time and seeks feedback from the public.

“The meetings are intended to explore the idea of another route to take the pressure off I‑17,” Nintzel said. “We are in the preliminary planning stages and are approaching this with an open mind in terms of where this takes us. If we find something, we will move on to the next stage.

An alternative to I‑17 is not going to happen overnight.”

The meetings will determine  if a more detailed study is warranted, he added.

“Growth in traffic is going to continue to cause problems for I‑17 drivers,” Nintzel said.

I‑17 has a limited number of lanes–two northbound and two southbound–north of the planned widening from Carefree Highway to Anthem, scheduled for the near future, and an aging infrastructure is another factor limiting the highway’s reliability as the only passageway to the north, Nintzel explained.

A separate study is underway to look at future widening of I‑17 between Anthem and Flagstaff. ADOT admits, however, the mountainous terrain to the north is a factor in those considerations.

At the June 6 meeting, ADOT representatives will make brief opening remarks, after which staff will be available to speak one‑on‑one with those attending.

Other meetings were held in Prescott Valley, Flagstaff and Camp Verde.