ADOT News:

Construction of 2 new interchanges along I-17 north of Happy Valley Road is scheduled to begin later this spring now that a contract for the project has been awarded.

The State Transportation Board awarded a $35.8 million contract to Pulice Construction, Inc., of Phoenix, to build new I-17 interchanges at Jomax Road & Dixileta Drive.

The Az Dept of Transportation says crews will build 2 new bridges over I-17 to connect Jomax Road & Dixileta Drive to the freeway.

The Jomax Road interchange will have both northbound & southbound I-17 on & off ramps. The Dixileta Drive interchange will include a northbound I-17 exit ramp & southbound entrance ramp. Jomax Road & Dixileta Drive are 2 miles apart.

ADOT says the project also will connect the I-17 frontage roads to the Dixileta Drive interchange & will allow the frontage roads to be converted from 2-way to safer, more efficient 1-way roads.

The project is the 1st in a series of improvement projects scheduled along I-17 in the North Valley during the next 3 years. Additional projects include the reconstruction of the I-17 interchange at Carefree Highway (SR 74), which is slated to start this summer.

ADOT also anticipates advertising a project later this year to add 2 new lanes in each direction to I-17 between Loop 101 & Jomax Road. The new lanes will be extended north to the Carefree Highway under a separate contract, with completion targeted by 2009.

For more info about I-17 improvement projects north of Loop 101 visit ValleyFreeways.com.