Travelers on Arizona's highways will likely see more cars in the coming weeks. But construction delays will not be the reason.
The Arizona Department of Transportation will keep all highways in the state open December 23 through January 6 with its annual hold on construction-related closures.
In the Phoenix area, the hiatus on highway construction will start earlier, on December 21.
"It really is our effort to help with the movement of traffic during the holidays. We want to pull back so folks can get to where they need to get," said ADOT's Doug Nintzel.
About 2 million Arizonans are expected to take a road trip of more than 50 miles this holiday season, according to AAA.
"We want to have a positive impact. Certainly we still have to worry about crashes, disabled vehicles, things like that. But we don't want to be in the way with construction and maintenance work during this time of the year," said Nintzel.
He said construction zones will still be in place, and it's important that drivers follow posted speed limits in those areas.
Construction closures traditionally slow in the time between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day in Arizona to accommodate higher traffic loads on highways.
Nintzel said people should be prepared for a rush in holiday travel, particularly when taking road trips, by bringing extra food and water, accounting for extra drive time, checking weather forecasts and having a roadside emergency kit.
