Downtown Phoenix Commute

[Bondurant]

My personal experience has been less bottle necks on I-17. I've cleared significant lengths of I-17 with lots of traffic with little to no issue with less stoppages then I have encountered on the I-10. That said, I tend to avoid both and use SR 51 to travel to and from work as I go to Scottsdale.

In many cases when traveling during rush hour traffic, I will opt to take streets.

[AZJoeD]

IMHO I-17 is clearly a better choice than I-10, but even better is Rte 51. If you can find find a home in the area between I-17 and Rte 51 you can choose your route based on variables like construction, time of day, flooding etc.

[grmi66]

Originally Posted by AZJoeD

IMHO I-17 is clearly a better choice than I-10, but even better is Rte 51. If you can find find a home in the area between I-17 and Rte 51 you can choose your route based on variables like construction, time of day, flooding etc.

That's my plan for next year, try to find something in between the 51 & I-17. But last time I bought a house in north Phoenix the houses dropped in price over $20,000+ for the same amenities if I stayed west of I-17. So I'm guessing I will probably stay closer to the I-17 side of north Phoenix this time around as well.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

I know what you mean but every large metropolitan area has sprawl, even the ones in the eastern United States.

Commuter rail would be perfect for the I-10 center median but that will be many years away if it is ever approved, and don't expect the ultraconservative legislature to support it or fund it.

In the meantime west I-10 has congested traffic with a big center median consisting of dirt and fences that could easily be developed into something worthwhile like extra lanes.

The lighting is poor and it is flood-prone.

I always brag to everyone how Phoenix has efficient modern freeways but I'm not so sure about much of I-10 anymore.

I agree with you for the most part. I10 is always congested, and that big ugly dirt median could be converted into an extra lane or two each direction ... or be used for commuter rail, bus lanes, or light rail. I think that's the direction they're wanting to go ... but like you stated, it will likely be many more years before anything comes to fruition. Until then, traffic congestion will continue to get worse, and the freeway will remain unsightly.

Also, ADOT should be held fully responsible for why I10 flooded like it did. I know we're not used to three inches of rain in less than a day's time (nor are we very prepared for it) ... but there was a drainage system & pumps already in place which could have been working had they not been neglected. As usual, ADOT is making the tired out excuse that there is lack of money, but it doesn't take extra money to ensure drains & pumps are properly maintained. That was pure laziness!