Warmer weather helps crews catch up on pavement repairs in northern Arizona

PHOENIX – With warmer weather in the high country, Arizona Department of Transportation maintenance crews are catching up with pavement repair along Interstates 17 and 40 and State Route 89A after an active winter season.

Next week, crews will lay asphalt over existing pavement to smooth rough sections of road along I-40 between mileposts 169 and 172 eastbound, about 10 miles east of Williams. Work will also occur on I-40 eastbound at mileposts 92, 96 and 102-104, in between the US 93 junction and Seligman.

Potholes can pop up quickly when moisture seeps into and below asphalt, which in northern Arizona can be stressed by the combination of freezing overnight temperatures and daytime thawing. The Flagstaff area usually experiences more than 200 daily freeze-thaw cycles each year. Add heavy traffic, and this stressed pavement can break away.

ADOT has two projects coming later this year along I-40 between Flagstaff and Williams that will add a new layer of pavement in both directions.