A funding request from U.S. Sen. Krysten Sinema (D-AZ) produced $90 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) this week, all earmarked for a lane expansion project on Interstate 17.
The project focuses on a particular stretch of I-17 known as the Arizona Veteran’s Highway, which has proven a particularly deadly spot among U.S. infrastructure. Between 2011 and 2015, the state saw 123 deaths just in the stretch between Phoenix and Flagstaff, Ariz. To alleviate that, the Arizona Department of Transportation wants to add another lane in each direction of the interstate.
“Today’s announcement will make our roads safer and fuel Arizona jobs and business opportunities,” Sinema said. “I will continue supporting increased infrastructure investment in our state.”
Overall, the Arizona DOT estimates the project will cost around $320 million and cover 23 miles of I-17 between Anthem Way and Sunset Point. Construction is slated to begin in 2021 and should be finished sometime in 2023. Sinema had initially written to the USDOT back in February in support of the project.