Verde Valley AZ (June 26, 2014) – UPDATE – Interstate 17 northbound has reopened in New River following an oil tanker rollover that closed the highway early this morning, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Both northbound lanes are open without restrictions after closing about 4 a.m. The extended closure was required to remove the tanker and for a hazardous materials crew to remove spilled oil from the road.
Southbound lanes were unaffected and remained open.
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Verde Valley AZ (June 26, 2014) – An oil tanker rollover has triggered a closure of I-17 northbound in New River that is expected to last most of Thursday, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Drivers traveling from Phoenix to northern Arizona destinations such as Flagstaff will need to use alternate routes Thursday through Prescott or Payson and plan for extended travel times.
The Prescott route involves using US 60 from the Phoenix area to Wickenburg, where drivers will turn onto US 93 until reaching State Route 89. Once taking SR 89 into Prescott, drivers can take SR 69 to Dewey, and then SR 169 to return to I-17. The Payson route involves taking SR 87 from the Mesa or Fountain Hills area. About 20 miles north of Payson, drivers will turn northwest on SR 260 to return to I-17 in Camp Verde. Drivers should expect extra traffic on either of these alternate routes today due to the I-17 closure.
There is no estimated time to reopen northbound lanes of I-17 while a hazardous materials crew responds to the tanker rollover. Southbound lanes of I-17 are unaffected and remain open.
For the most current information about highway closures and restrictions statewide, visit ADOT’s Travel Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 5-1-1.