Some highways to close for winter season in high country

PHOENIX — Motorists traveling through Arizona’s high country need to be aware of some annual road closures as the winter season begins, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

A handful of state routes across the state are closed annually due to the significant amount of snowfall and most are reopened by early spring.

• State Route 67 between Jacob Lake (US 89A) and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park is expected to close on Monday, Dec. 2.
• State Route 473 to Hawley Lake is the first of three highways in the White Mountains that will shut down this winter, beginning on Dec. 2.
• State Route 261 between Big Lake and the State Route 260 junction is scheduled to close on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
• State Route 273 between Sunrise Park Resort and Big Lake will close Dec. 31. The four-mile-long portion of SR 273 between SR 260 and Sunrise Park Resort will remain open to provide access to the ski area.
• A portion of State Route 366 that leads to Mount Graham near Safford was closed for the winter on Nov. 15. ADOT may need to close the scenic highway, also known as “Swift Trail,” at lower elevations as necessary to allow for snow removal.

Roads are subject to close earlier if heavy snowfall in the area occurs prior to the scheduled closure date.

Additional information can be found on ADOT’s “Know Snow” Web page at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

Before heading out on the roads, drivers are encouraged to call 5-1-1 or log on to ADOT’s Traveler Information Center at az511.gov for the latest highway conditions around the state. The website features images along state highways that give drivers a glimpse of weather conditions in various regions.