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I‑17 construction, wildlife crossings and mapping errors have created visitor routing confusion, Flagstaff tourism officials say
Summary
Commissioners and staff discussed media coverage and visitor confusion stemming from I‑17 construction and wildlife crossings; staff said ADOT is aware that some mapping services still show closures and they are coordinating to correct information.
Discover Flagstaff staff and the commission discussed how ongoing construction and wildlife‑crossing work on Interstate 17 south of Flagstaff is affecting travel routing and visitor behavior. Staff said some mapping services persistently show I‑17 as closed, which has routed some visitors onto longer detours through Payson and other routes.
Why it matters: Misleading routing information can deter visitors, lengthen travel times and affect local businesses that depend on through traffic and accurate directions.
Ryan Randazzo, media relations and film commission staff, said the Interstate 17 work includes wildlife crossings and a flex‑lane project south of town; the project has, at times, restricted traffic to one lane and has generated media coverage. Staff said ADOT has been attempting to correct third‑party navigation services and to communicate temporary reroutes; agencies opened an additional lane in some stretches south of Black Canyon City as part of the broader work.
Staff said the mapping issue has prompted real‑time social and earned media responses asking motorists to verify route status before travel and reassuring visitors that I‑17 is not fully closed. The commission discussed continuing earned‑media outreach to remind potential visitors that the roadway is open in many sections and that construction is expected to finish by year‑end for the flex‑lane work.
No regulatory action was taken; staff will continue outreach with ADOT and media partners to reduce routing confusion.
