ADOT and the Federal Highway Administration, as the lead federal agency, have initiated a study to evaluate alternatives to improve traffic operations on Interstate 17 (I-17) within the City of Phoenix. I-17 (Black Canyon Freeway) is Arizona’s primary north-south highway and serves as a connection to Interstate 10 and Interstate 40, two of the nation’s vital east-west highways. I-17 also links Phoenix with Flagstaff and numerous other communities in central and northern Arizona, including Prescott, Camp Verde, Cottonwood, and Sedona.

Current Study Activity: The Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement was published in the Federal Register on January 6, 2010. Agency and public scoping meetings will be conducted in January and February 2010.

Description: I-17, the first interstate highway to be built through the Valley, currently forms the north-south backbone of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ regional freeway system. I-17 carries a steady stream of traffic through the urban core from its origin at the I-10 Maricopa Interchange in south-central Phoenix, through the I-10 Stack interchange, to the Loop 101 interchange in north Phoenix. I-17 currently has three general purpose lanes in each direction, a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane in each direction between the Stack interchange and Loop 101, and auxiliary (merge) lanes in some areas of the corridor.

Public Scoping: In February 2010, ADOT and FHWA hosted public scoping meetings as an opportunity for community members to participate in the scoping process. Scoping is the first step in the study process and is intended to inform and involve the public, agencies, and special interest groups. The public scoping meetings marked the beginning of ADOT’s public outreach program that will continue throughout the study. Public comments regarding the I-17 Study are currently being accepted and can be submitted by using the Public Meeting Comment Form.

Public Meeting Notice

Public Meeting Presentation

Public Meeting Display Boards

Study Process

Study Area Map

I-17 Project Newsletter

Documents are posted as they become available in PDF format, which requires Adobe Reader to view.

Our Valley Freeway System is part of the 2004 voter-approved Regional Transportation Plan. We are working hard with our transit partners to implement the voters’ vision and are committed to quality, safety, open communication with our neighbors, and minimal inconvenience to the traveling public.