ADOT taking suggestions

PHOENIX - If you were living in the Valley 20 years ago, odds are you've noticed major changes on the I-17. Imagine what it will look like years from now.

State transportation leaders have started taking comments on what kind of facelift you think the I-17 needs between the 101 and I-10.

ADOT's Doug Nintzel says improvements will not happen overnight. Work between Dunlap Avenue and the Loop 101 will not start until at least 2014, while improvements on the rest of the I-17 would have to wait until after 2020.

"There are funding limitations," Nintzel said. "We don't have all the money in the world that we can completely overhaul I-17."

Nintzel said the regional funding plan has money set aside for additional improvements after 2020.

Meeting times/locations:
The meetings are from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Tuesday, Deer Valley Community Center, 2001 W. Wahalla Lane, in the north multipurpose room.
• Thursday, Washington High School, 2217 W. Glendale Ave., in the gymnasium.
• Feb. 18, Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third St., in West 101 A-C. Free parking is available.

• Comments can be mailed to ADOT Central Valley Outreach Team, 101 N. First Ave., Suite 1900, Phoenix, AZ 85003. You also can send them to ADOT@hdrinc.com or reach the project's hotline at 602-787-3927.