State routes 261, 273 to close today for winter in the high country

PHOENIX – State routes 261 and 273 in Arizona’s high country will close for the winter at noon today in anticipation of a storm that will bring significant snowfall to parts of the state, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. The roads are among a handful of routes across the state that close annually for the winter and reopen when conditions improve in the spring.

• State Route 261 will close between Big Lake and the State Route 260 junction.
• State Route 273 will close between Sunrise Park and Big Lake. The four-mile long portion of SR 273 between SR 260 and Sunrise Park will remain open to provide access to the ski area.

Three other highways have already closed for the winter.

• State Route 67 between Jacob Lake (US 89A) and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park.
• State Route 473 to Hawley Lake in the White Mountains.
• A portion of State Route 366 that leads to Mount Graham near Safford.

Tips on winter driving are available at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

Drivers can call 511 or visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Center at az511.gov for the latest highway conditions around the state. The website features camera images along state highways that give drivers a glimpse of weather conditions in various regions.

ADOT’s Twitter feed (@ArizonaDOT) and Facebook page (/AZDOT) are excellent sources of information and interaction on traffic conditions around the state.

For more information about ADOT, visit azdot.gov.