PHOENIX – There weren't any reported crashes, but traffic on Interstate 17 was backed up for miles in the North Valley Friday afternoon.
And believe it or not, one of the reasons why is because of a chicken that tried to cross the road.
Department of Public Safety spokesperson Bart Graves said a chicken was trying to cross the northbound lanes of I-17 just south of the Carefree Highway at about 11 a.m.
Forty minutes later, DPS units were able to conduct a traffic break and retrieve the bird.
But Graves said the entire situation worsened what was already a heavy holiday travel back up.
Because of the delays, Graves said his department was encouraging drivers to use alternate routes to get around I-17 during the weekend.
Too many people will be trying to get in and out of the Valley, he said.
At last check, ADOT maps showed northbound I-17 slow just north of Happy Valley Road for a short distance.
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