No closures on area freeways during holiday weekend

 There is good news for drivers headed to grandma’s house this Thanksgiving weekend: There are no scheduled construction or maintenance closures of area freeways, Arizona Department of Transportation said.

However, ADOT advises drivers to be prepared and expect the unexpected while practicing safe driving.

As the annual holiday travel season begins across Arizona, ADOT will not schedule highway work requiring full closures on state highways from Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 23, to Monday morning, Nov. 28.

Drivers should allow extra travel time this weekend and prepare for heavier traffic conditions during peak travel times – especially Wednesday and Sunday afternoons. They also should be prepared for unscheduled closures or lane restrictions due to crashes, disabled vehicles or other incidents.

Interstate 17 and State Route 87 north of the Valley and I-10 from Tucson to the California border are among the highways expected to be busiest with holiday travelers, ADOT said.

ADOT recommends packing an emergency kit in case of an unscheduled stop in traffic or a need to pull over because of car troubles. Items to pack include:

• Extra bottled water.
• Snack foods.
• A flashlight and extra batteries.
• Blankets.
• Warm clothing.
• First-aid kit.

Travelers also should remember prescription medications and items such as a cellphone charger in case of unexpected travel delays. Staying up to date on potential changing weather conditions also is important.

Motorists could encounter existing work zone restrictions across the state. Those areas include State Route 89A, which is narrowed to one lane with alternating two-way traffic and temporary traffic signals at the “Switchbacks” in Oak Creek Canyon north of Sedona due to a rockfall and erosion mitigation project. Northbound U.S. 93 at the Kabba Wash Bridge is narrowed to one lane at milepost 97 south of I-40 for a construction project, and I-15 near Beaver Dam/Littlefield narrows to one lane in each direction at mileposts 8-9 for an ongoing bridge-replacement project.

Extra travel time is recommended in these areas, especially during peak travel periods.