PHOENIX -- The size of northbound Interstate 17 between Loop 101 and Jomax Road in the north Valley has doubled, thanks to the addition of two lanes, the Arizona Department of Transportation announced Monday.

The lanes, which include a carpool lane, opened for traffic at 6:30 a.m. Monday, ADOT spokesman Doug Nintzel said.

Nintzel said crews worked over the weekend to complete rubberized asphalt paving and lane striping so the lanes would be open for Monday afternoon's rush hour.

These lanes are the second group of new lanes to open as part of a $142 million project to widen the freeway between Loop 101 and Carefree Highway in the north Valley, Nintzel said. Construction started in February 2008, and new southbound I-17 lanes opened between Happy Valley Road and Loop 101 on Oct. 29.