Memorial Day weekend in Arizona: Traffic slowdown on I-17 into Phoenix eases

Arizona Republic

Thousands of Arizonans will likely travel during the long holiday weekend, with many opting to leave their homes to enjoy other parts of the states after being shuttered indoors for weeks by COVID-19.

Crashes and slowdowns will inevitably happen. Here's a running list of traffic concerns and other incidents of note through the weekend:

5:30 p.m. Monday: Traffic slows 18 miles of I-17 north of Phoenix

The Arizona Department of Transportation tweeted that there was "very heavy traffic" on Interstate 17 southbound by 5:30 p.m. Monday. 

The traffic started at Bumble Bee near Sunset Point and continued to just north of New River, stretching "at least 18 miles," according to ADOT. 

By 7:30 p.m. the slowdown in the area had shortened to 8 miles, according to ADOT, and by 8:30 p.m. it had cleared up. 

1 p.m. Monday: Semi crash slows traffic on I-17

A rollover crash around 11 a.m. Monday with a semitruck pulling a trailer caused delays on the southbound lanes of Interstate 17 near State Route 179.

The crash happened south of Sedona and Oak Creek. Arizona Department of Transportation officials said drivers coming south from Flagstaff would see heavy traffic, and at one point vehicles were backed up about 8 miles from the scene. 

Sedona fire officials said crews were working with Copper Canyon Fire at the crash. Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers were assisting with traffic. 

ADOT said the right lane reopened just before 1 p.m., but that the traffic was still heavily backed up. Around 2:30 p.m. the department said traffic was clearing up.

7:45 a.m. Monday: Flyovers will honor veterans

Keep your eyes out for WWII-era biplanes and smoke heart designs in the sky.

On Monday morning around 7:45 am, the Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation will honor veterans residing in senior living communities by flying restored Stearman biplanes over several Phoenix communities. 

While flying, the planes will create heart designs in the sky.

The flyovers are scheduled for:

  • 7:45 a.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona Enclave
  • 10:00 a.m at Chandler Senior Living 
  • 10:45 a.m. at Mountain Park Senior Living
  • 11:00 a.m. at the Enclave at Gilbert Senior Living
This WWII-era white and checkerboard open-cockpit biplane will fly over senior living communities to honor veterans on May 25.

7:30 p.m. Sunday: Heavy backup on I-17 

Heavy traffic continues of Interstate 17. The southbound direction is backed up just past State Route 69 to past Black Canyon City, for about six miles, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

4:30 p.m. Sunday: Crash causes slowdown on I-17 

A crash at about 4 p.m. on Sunday temporarily blocked a lane on Interstate 17 at milepost 247 near Black Canyon City. All lanes were soon cleared, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

1:30 p.m. Sunday: I-17, SR-87 clear

Traffic was clear on Interstate 17 just before 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.

However, State Route 87 was briefly closed near milepost 258 on Sunday afternoon. It reopened shortly after.

3:30 p.m. Saturday: I-17 traffic eases

Northbound traffic on Interstate 17 eased up a bit on Saturday afternoon. However, the Arizona Department of Transportation warned drivers to expect slower traffic in Black Canyon City.

3 p.m. Saturday: SR-89A SB reopens

The southbound lanes of State Route 89A near Slide Rock reopened shortly before 3 p.m.

2 p.m. Saturday: Highway crash on SR-89A SB

A car crash in the southbound lanes of State Route 89A near Slide Rock outside Sedona has closed the highway. The southbound lanes were stopped near milepost 388, causing traffic to alternate northbound and causing some delays, the Arizona Department of Transportation reported.

10 a.m. Saturday: 15-mile backup along I-17

A stretch of the northbound Interstate 17 was backed up by about 15 miles Saturday morning as holiday travelers hit the road, the Arizona Department of Transportation said.

The backup stretched from Anthem to Black Canyon City as of about 10 a.m.

9 p.m. Friday: 9-mile backup on SR-87

Traffic remained heavy on State Route 87 on the way to Payson from the Valley on Friday night. The backup started in the northbound lanes near milepost 243 outside of Rye and stretched for nearly nine miles, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. 

4:30 p.m. Friday: Heavy traffic on I-17

The Arizona Department of Transportation reported there was already heavy traffic on Interstate 17 in the Anthem area on Friday afternoon as drivers head out of the Valley. ADOT warned there will likely also be moderate backups through New River and Black Canyon.

Long delays were also reported on State Route 87 just north of Rye on the way to Payson. 

"If you are planning on heading north, it might be best to put it off for awhile!" ADOT said in a tweet. 

Republic reporters Alana Minkler, Bree Burkitt and Helena Wegner contributed to this article.