Arizona DOT begins I-17 wrong-way vehicle detection installation

Updated Aug 21, 2017
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Crews with Contractors West Inc. of Mesa began the installation process this week of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s (ADOT) wrong-way vehicle detection and warning system at the interchange of Interstate 17 and Indian School Road in Phoenix.

The $3.7 million system, which is the first of its kind in the country, is designed to immediately alert ADOT of a wrong-way driver, with the agency alerting drivers through overhead message boards. Thermal cameras positioned one mile apart will signal Arizona State Troopers.

The intersection will be periodically closed to traffic this weekend for the mounting of thermal cameras, installation of fiber-optic cable and rewiring of control cabinets in the area.

ADOT says future restrictions will be scheduled at other I-17 interchanges between I-10 northwest of downtown and Loop 101 in north Phoenix as the installation project advances over the next few months. The system is expected to be fully operational by early next year.

The project began one month earlier than estimated because the department pre-ordered some of the materials, including thermal cameras and fiber-optic cable, earlier this summer.