SignalsAZ.com Prescott News Podcast - What Arizona Drivers Should Know Before Labor Day

Episode Date: September 2, 2026

Send us a text and chime in!No construction closures are scheduled on state highways over the Labor Day weekend. However, the Arizona Department of Transportation reminds drivers to make advance plans for trips and expect heavier traffic, especially during peak travel times. ADOT and its contractors will not schedule any full closures along state highways, including Phoenix-area freeways, from Friday afternoon, Sept. 4, to late Monday night, Sept. 7, to limit impacts on holiday weekend travel. Drivers should allow extra time during busier holiday weekend travel periods, including Friday afternoon and Monday afternoon and evening. Multiple agencies, including ADOT, the Department of Public Safety and other...   For the written story, read here >> https://www.signalsaz.com/articles/what-arizona-drivers-should-know-before-labor-day/ Check out the CAST11.com Website at: https://CAST11.com Follow the CAST11 Podcast Network on Facebook at: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network

Text-to-speech audio articles made possible on the Cast11.com podcast network by Fane Signature Group. No construction closures are scheduled on state highways over the Labor Day weekend. However, the Arizona Department of Transportation reminds drivers to make advance plans for trips and expect heavier traffic, especially during peak travel times. AdD and its contractors will not schedule any full closures along state highways, including Phoenix area freeways, from Friday afternoon, September 4th to late Monday night, September 7th, to limit impacts on holiday weekend travel. Drivers should allow extra time during busier holiday weekend travel periods, including Friday afternoon and Monday afternoon and evening.

Multiple agencies, including ADOT, the Department of Public Safety and other first responders, are asking drivers to expect the unexpected while focusing on safety and staying alert during road trips. Unsched highway closures are possible due to crashes, disabled vehicles, wildfires or other incidents. A-DOT anticipates heavy traffic and possible delays at times on highways in and out of the Phoenix and Tucson areas, including Interstate 10 as well as Interstate 17 north of Phoenix. The I-17 flex-lane system between Black Canyon City and sunset point will be open for northbound traffic this week through late Saturday and then available for southbound travel on Sunday September 6th and Monday September 7. Other highways expected to be busy at times

include State Route 87 between Fountain Hills and Payson, U.S. 93, between Wickenberg and Hoover Dam and I-8 and I-10 between the Phoenix area and the California state line. A-DOT also recommends preparing an emergency kit including extra drinking water. Other items to consider are blankets, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, extra batteries, a fully charged cell phone and charger, snacks, diapers if necessary and a small tool kit. More information about traveling and hot weather is available on the A-DOT website. Because travel delays are possible, don't forget other important items such as prescription medicines. A hat, sunglasses and umbrella, to help with rain or shade, also are good items to

remember. Be prepared for changing weather conditions, including blowing dust. Other road trip safety recommendations include. Avoid distractions. Don't text while driving. Eyes up, phones down. Check your vehicle, including tire pressure and engine fluid levels. Get some rest before traveling. Fatigue is a serious safety risk. Never drive while impaired. Buckle up and obey speed limits. Arrange for a designated driver or ride service if necessary. If towing a trailer, secure chain so they are not dragging on pavement and creating sparks that might start a brush fire. Avoid stopping in areas with grasses and brush.

Hot vehicle components could start a fire. A dot will have personnel ready to respond to incidents along highways over the holiday weekend. In addition to on-call statewide maintenance crews, the A-dot incident response unit, IRU, Sponsored by GEICO, patrols Phoenix area freeways in Maricopa County from 4 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. The Eru operators assist state troopers as well as drivers in need of help. More information about ADOT-iru can be found on the ADOT website. Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT's Arizona traveler information site at az-511.gov, the Oz 511 app, download for Apple or Android devices, or by calling 511.

A dot also provides highway condition updates via its X feed, at Arizona dot. Catch up with more local news stories on signalsaz.com. Subscribe and be the F1 RST2 No.