As part of an ambitious effort to enhance safety and wildlife connectivity, construction kicks off Monday on a new wildlife overpass along Interstate 17, just south of Flagstaff. This initiative marks a significant step forward in protecting local fauna and reducing vehicular accidents.
The project, valued at nearly $16 million, will feature an 8-foot-tall fence over an eight-mile stretch of the highway and a 100-foot-wide bridge strategically placed between Kelly Canyon and Munds Park. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, this construction aims to foster better habitat links for wildlife and lower the occurrence of animal-related traffic accidents, particularly involving elk and deer.
Travelers should prepare for lane reductions on I-17, with traffic confined to a single lane in both directions between mileposts 326 and 328. Construction crews will pave temporary median crossovers to facilitate traffic shifts to one side of the highway, aiming to minimize road closures. Motorists can anticipate lowered speed limits and potential delays in the vicinity of the construction site.
The completion of this significant infrastructure project is slated for the fall of 2026, marking a new era in safety and environmental consideration for the region.
—
Read More Arizona News
