Expect traffic shifts through early May as work on Rio de Flag bridge continues

PHOENIX – As the Arizona Department of Transportation continues work on the new Rio de Flag bridge near Flagstaff City Hall, drivers along Historic Route 66 in the area should expect traffic shifts through early May. 

Beginning Monday, March 29, all traffic will be shifted to the north side of the road, having one lane for each direction. The left-turn lane to northbound US 180, locally known as Humphreys Street, will be closed. This configuration is expected to last about three weeks.

In mid-April, all traffic will shift to the south side of the road with one lane for each direction. Left turns to northbound US 180 will continue to be closed. This configuration is expected to last though early May.

During the traffic shifts, eastbound Historic Route 66 to northbound US 180 traffic will be detoured to east Butler Avenue to north San Francisco Street to west Columbus Avenue to access north US 180.

In addition to the traffic shifts, the speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph between Butler Avenue and Beaver Street, and there will be no left turns allowed at Santa Fe Avenue and US 180.

During the traffic shifts, crews will construct drilling shafts into the roadway for the new Rio de Flag bridge.

A seven-day full closure of Route 66 at the Rio de Flag bridge is tentatively planned for June with the $4.9 million project anticipated to be completed by this summer.

ADOT is also partnering with the city of Flagstaff in excavating more of the Rio de Flag Wash than needed for this bridge project in order to set the stage for future city improvement projects in the area.