PHOENIX —The reconstruction of US 89 between Bitter Springs and Page will begin later this month after the State Transportation Board approved a $25 million project to repair the landslide-damaged highway at Friday’s board meeting in Cottonwood, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The roadway, which suffered catastrophic damage following a landslide on the early morning of Feb. 20, 2013, has remained closed after a 500-foot section of roadway buckled in Echo Cliffs, approximately 25 miles south of Page.

The repair will include moving the roadway approximately 60 feet away from the landslide area toward Echo Cliffs and using rock material removed for the roadway realignment to construct a downslope buttress to stabilize the area.

The closed section of roadway is scheduled to reopen prior to next summer’s busy travel season. The construction contract will also include a monetary incentive for the contractor if it is able to complete the project ahead of schedule.

Work on the project will begin in a couple of weeks, but major work is expected to start in late August when crews begin drilling and blasting operations to build the rock buttress. Nearly 1 million cubic yards of rock material is expected to be removed and a 1,500-foot section of US 89 will be realigned with new pavement.

The ultimate repair of US 89 is the final step in fulfilling ADOT’s three-pronged approach to the US 89 landslide incident, which included providing immediate emergency access, conducting a geotechnical investigation and restoring essential traffic to the area.

Last summer ADOT paved Navajo Route 20 (Temporary US 89), which was a mostly dirt road stretching from Bodaway-Gap to LeChee.

“Once a long-term solution was identified, ADOT worked diligently to complete all the federally required clearances needed prior to construction,” said Steve Boschen, ADOT deputy state engineer of project delivery. “This process can sometimes take years, but with help from many of our Navajo Nation partners, the Federal Highway Administration and other regulatory stakeholders, we are ready to begin the US 89 landslide repair.”

Prior to breaking ground on the project later this month, ADOT had to clear several hurdles. After an extensive geotechnical investigation identified the necessary repairs last summer, ADOT retained an engineering design firm and developed plans for the eventual repair. Following that, the team finalized all federally required environmental reviews that include cultural, biological and water quality measures, completed the plans for the required right-of-way easements, and finalized negotiations with the contractor.

The final step prior to Friday’s board approval was completing negotiations on a guaranteed maximum price for the project construction with FNF Construction, the same contractor that completed the paving of US 89T.

The US 89 landslide repair project is eligible for reimbursement through the Federal Highway Administration’s emergency relief program, which provides funding to state and local agencies for the repair or reconstruction of highways, roads and bridges that are damaged in natural disasters and catastrophic failures.

PHOENIX — One year after a landslide forced the closure US 89 south of Page, the Arizona Department of Transportation is gearing up to start construction early summer and potentially complete the emergency repair by the end of this year — if there are no environmental, utility or right-of-way hurdles.

Following an extensive geological investigation into the Feb. 20, 2013 landslide that concluded in July, ADOT has made major strides in accelerating progress on the emergency project.

Since August, ADOT has retained an engineering design firm and developed plans for the eventual repair; finalized all federally required environmental reviews that include cultural, biological and water quality measures; and completed the plans for the required right-of-way easements.

The environmental and design process for a normal project can take two years to complete, but ADOT has been working with the Federal Highway Administration, Navajo Nation, Navajo Division of Transportation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs to expedite the environmental, utility and right-of-way clearance and approval process, knowing the lack of a usable road between the Bitter Springs and Page communities is a hardship for many people.

ADOT passed a major milestone this week toward beginning construction on the ultimate repair of US 89. The final environmental documentation was submitted to the Federal Highway Administration today for review. Without this clearance, ADOT cannot use federal funds for this project. While that approval is pending, ADOT continues work on the pre-construction elements of the project, like finalizing the design of the repair.

ADOT also continues to work with the Navajo Nation on obtaining right-of-way easements that will be necessary prior to construction. An agreement between the Federal Highway Administration, Navajo Nation and Bureau of Indian Affairs must be reached to establish an expanded easement that facilitates construction, as well as operations and maintenance of the full repair.

“Our final goal for delivery of our three-pronged approach — which initially included the geotechnical investigation and providing emergency access, and restoring mobility to the region with the paving of Navajo Route 20 — is to complete the US 89 reconstruction by advancing the necessary environmental, utility and right of way clearances as diligently as possible while complying with all the regulations in conjunction with our Navajo Nation partners and other regulatory stakeholders,” said Jennifer Toth, ADOT state engineer and deputy director for transportation. “This project remains a top priority for ADOT and our project partners.”

The repair is currently estimated to cost $25 million. The project will include moving the roadway approximately 60 feet toward Echo Cliffs and using that rock to construct a downslope buttress to stabilize the area. ADOT wants to start the repairs as soon as possible following environmental, utility and right-of-way clearances.

Shortly after the landslide, ADOT, along with the Navajo Nation and the Federal Highway Administration, pursued paving Navajo Route 20 (which became the US 89T route) to serve as a short-term solution. By paving N20, the length of the originally established detour route (US 160 and State Route 98) was cut in half.

After three months of intensive work, the newly paved two-lane roadway was opened to traffic in August.

The US 89 emergency repair project is eligible for reimbursement through the Federal Highway Administration’s emergency relief program, which provides funding to state and local agencies for the repair or reconstruction of highways, roads and bridges that are damaged in natural disasters and catastrophic failures.

PHOENIX — The newly paved, shorter US 89 detour route in northern Arizona is now fully open with no restrictions after the Arizona Department of Transportation completed fencing along the corridor to help prevent livestock from crossing the roadway.

The Temporary US 89 (US 89T) route opened with limited access on Aug. 29, only three months after construction began the $35 million project to pave Navajo Route 20, which was mostly a dirt and sandy road before work began in late May.

Until now, the roadway was limited to only daytime use and speed restrictions were present in areas where the fencing had yet to be completed. Along with fencing, crews have recently finished final lane striping and installed recessed pavement markings to enhance safety along the corridor. The maximum speed limit for the corridor is now 55 mph.

The 44-mile-long US 89T route runs parallel to US 89 from The Gap to LeChee and is accessible from US 89, approximately 17 miles north of the US 160 junction (Tuba City exit). Previously a Navajo Nation roadway, US 89T will be maintained by ADOT while it is in use as a detour.

The US 89T project became necessary after a Feb. 20 landslide closed a section of US 89 between Bitter Springs and Page. Prior to paving US 89T, drivers headed to and from Page were forced to take a 115-mile-long alternate route along US 160 and State Route 98.

When traveling on US 89T, ADOT urges motorists to slow down, pay attention to their surroundings and be aware that this roadway on the Navajo Nation is prone to animal crossings, including horses, goats, cows and dogs.

The US 89T project was eligible for reimbursement through the Federal Highway Administration’s emergency relief program, which provides funding to state and local agencies for the repair or reconstruction of highways, roads and bridges that are damaged in natural disasters and catastrophic failures.

US 89T is not part of the ultimate solution to repair US 89, which suffered a landslide that buckled pavement along the mountain slope in the Echo Cliffs area.

After an extensive geotechnical investigation of the US 89 landslide, ADOT’s proposed solution is to move the travel lanes away from the active landslide and construct a rock structure to stabilize the area.

The projected $25 million repair is already on the fast track. Design on the repair began in late August and ADOT is meeting with potential contractors this fall. ADOT’s goal is to start construction by mid-2014, if extensive environmental and right-of-way clearances are finalized. 

After the reconstruction of US 89 is complete, US 89T will be returned to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and will be referred to again as Navajo Route 20, with maintenance handled by the Navajo Division of Transportation.

ADOT has a range of communication tools, including a web page dedicated to keeping the public informed about the status of the closure and alternate travel routes, including US 89T, complemented by up-to-date video and photos of the roadway damage on US 89.

PHOENIX — Drivers headed to Page and the Lake Powell area this Labor Day weekend will have another option when the Arizona Department of Transportation opens the newly paved Temporary US 89 route (US 89T) on Thursday, August 29, albeit with some restrictions.

The limited-access opening will occur following the formal Navajo Nation dedication ceremony marking substantial completion of the project. The former Navajo Route 20 route (known locally as Coppermine Road) runs parallel to US 89 from The Gap to LeChee and is accessible on US 89, approximately 17 miles north of the US 160 junction (Tuba City exit).

While the 27-mile paving operations have been completed, US 89T remains an active construction zone as crews continue to install right-of-way fencing along the corridor, which has a large amount of livestock.

Until fencing is complete, US 89T will be open during daylight hours only (except for local residents) and there will be a 25 mph speed limit in place. When construction is complete, the speed limit will be raised and nighttime restrictions will be lifted.

When traveling on US 89T, ADOT urges motorists to slow down, pay attention to their surroundings and be aware that this roadway is prone to animal crossings, including horses, goats, cows and dogs.

The $35 million paving project to adopt N20 temporarily into the state highway system was finished only three months after breaking ground, an impressive feat considering the 44-mile-long tribal route was primarily a dirt road before work began in late May.

By paving US 89T, the detour route travel time was cut in nearly half and is similar in length to the closed US 89 route. Immediately after the US 89 landslide, ADOT set an alternate route along US 160 and State Route 98, but the 115-mile-long route created a heavy burden for drivers because it was 45 miles longer than the direct route. With the restricted opening of US 89T, however, the US 160-to-SR 98 detour route may still be a faster option for drivers.

“After the Feb. 20 landslide, ADOT quickly moved to establish a designated detour route along US 160 and SR 98 to ensure motorists could travel through the region,” said Jennifer Toth, deputy director of transportation. “But we knew that detour route, with its additional 45 miles, posed a negative impact to those community members who rely on US 89 every day. That’s why this project was so critical to complete in record time.”

Early on, N20 stood out as a better route for an interim US 89 detour because of its direct access to Page, but there were several obstacles to overcome. The most obvious was bringing the sandy, mostly dirt roadway up to highway standards.

Without paving and significant roadbed improvements, N20 would not be able to accommodate the volume of traffic that US 89 carries daily, let alone commercial truck traffic. Approximately 300,000 cubic yards of soil needed to be moved onto the roadway before the gravel and asphalt could go down. To complete the 27 miles of paving – which included fencing, cattle guards, centerline rumble strips and striping throughout the entire corridor – about 5,000 truck loads are asphalt were needed.

Equally important to the project’s success was the collaboration between the various stakeholders involved, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo Division of Transportation, Navajo Nation and the Federal Highway Administration.

“Without this direct collaboration between ADOT, tribal leaders, chapter presidents and the Navajo Division of Transportation, we would not have been able to finish a project of this magnitude in such a short time frame,” Toth said. “It is the existence of this dedicated partnership between ADOT and the Navajo Nation that helped expedite the Federal Highway Administration’s release of $35 million in emergency relief funds.”

The US 89T project was eligible for reimbursement through the Federal Highway Administration’s emergency relief program, which provides funding to state and local agencies for the repair or reconstruction of highways, roads and bridges that are damaged in natural disasters and catastrophic failures.

US 89T is not part of the ultimate solution to repair US 89, which has been closed north of Bitter Springs and south of Page since Feb. 20 due to a landslide that buckled pavement along the mountain slope in the Echo Cliffs area.

After an extensive geotechnical investigation of the US 89 landslide, ADOT’s proposed solution is to move the travel lanes away from the active landslide and construct a gravity buttress to stabilize the area. The projected $40 million repair is expected to take more than two years to complete, and will include significant environmental and right-of-way clearances prior to construction.

After the reconstruction of US 89 is complete, US 89T will be returned to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and will be referred to again as Navajo Route 20.

ADOT has a range of communication tools, including a Web page (azdot.gov/us89) dedicated to keeping the public informed about the status of the closure and alternate travel routes, including US 89T, complemented by up-to-date video and photos of the roadway damage on US 89.

PHOENIX — Now that the Arizona Department of Transportation has completed its geotechnical investigation at the site of the Feb. 20 landslide on US 89 south of Page, the agency is sharing the results and its long-term plans to repair the damaged roadway with the public next week.

ADOT will host community meetings in Bitter Springs and Page to review the preferred repair concept identified in the final geotechnical report, as well as provide information on the repair timeline and updates on the paving of Navajo Route 20, which will eventually serve as the designated US 89 detour route.

Bitter Springs Community Meeting
Wednesday, July 31
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. (Arizona time)
LDS church located at the junction of US 89 and US 89A

Page Community Meeting
Thursday, Aug. 1
6 – 8 p.m. (Arizona time)
City Hall Council Chambers
697 Vista Ave., Page, AZ

The geotechnical assessment report, which was finalized earlier this month, recommends the construction of a landslide buttress and cutting back the mountain slope. The buttress, a wall-like support structure composed of rock, would be built at the base of the slope and the highway travel lanes would be moved farther to the east by creating a new cut into the existing slope in the Echo Cliffs.

The US 89 roadway linking the Bitter Springs and Page communities has remained closed since the Feb. 20 landslide. Almost immediately after the landslide, ADOT began assembling a team of geotechnical experts to examine the stability of the mountain slope that carried the damaged highway and searching for options available to reopen the roadway.

ADOT has a range of communication tools dedicated to keeping the public informed about the status of the closure and alternate travel routes, complemented by up-to-date video and photos of the roadway damage on US 89.

PHOENIX — Paving has begun on the shorter, future interim detour route for motorists affected by the US 89 landslide closure south of Page, but traveling on Navajo Route 20 is not an option until construction is completed later this summer.

Several vehicles have become stuck in the sand along this 44-mile-long tribal route, which is a mostly dirt road that stretches from Bodaway-Gap to LeChee, and there is limited cell phone coverage in the area. Currently, only local Navajo Nation residents are permitted to travel on N20.

After breaking ground on this Arizona Department of Transportation project in late May, crews have been clearing debris and brush off the roadway, grading and installing water lines in preparation for paving work.

Paving N20 will significantly reduce travel time for motorists heading to and from Page and the Lake Powell area. Currently, the primary detour is to take US 160 to State Route 98, which is approximately 45 miles longer than the direct route. The new detour route will shave half the distance and time to get to Page.

When paving is complete, N20 will be temporarily adopted into the state’s highway system and designated Temporary US 89 (US 89T). After the reconstruction of US 89 is complete, the newly paved US 89T will be returned to the control of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The $35 million project is eligible for reimbursement through the Federal Highway Administration’s emergency relief program, which provides funding to state and local agencies for the repair or reconstruction of highways, roads and bridges that are damaged in natural disasters and catastrophic failures. ADOT has already been awarded $35 million in federal aid, including $2 million in quick release funds to assess the damage and the stability of the mountain slope, and conduct emergency operations.

US 89 has been closed north of Bitter Springs and south of Page since Feb. 20 due to a landslide that buckled pavement on the mountain slope in the Echo Cliffs. There is no timetable for reopening the damaged highway but ADOT is committed to restoring this critical travel route as soon as safely possible.

ADOT has completed its geotechnical field investigation, which is the first phase of the solution. ADOT’s engineers are currently reviewing options for the ultimate repair of US 89, which will be based on the results of the geotechnical work that began shortly after the landslide.

ADOT has launched a range of communication tools, including a Web page dedicated to keeping the public informed about the status of the closure and alternate travel routes, complemented by up-to-date video and photos of the roadway damage on US 89.

Motorists with questions can write to [email protected] or call toll-free 855.712.8530.

PHOENIX — Drivers who make the daily commute to and from Page will soon get good news later this summer as the Arizona Department of Transportation has begun work on upgrading Navajo Route 20, which will eventually serve as a shorter interim detour route for drivers who have impacted by the US 89 landslide closure.

Initial work on the 44-mile-long tribal route started last week including clearing debris and brush from the roadway and grading the mostly dirt road stretching from Bodaway-Gap to LeChee.

Next month crews are expected to begin paving on the future interim detour route, which has been designated Temporary US 89. It will eventually open to all motorists, including commercial truck traffic, later this summer when the project is finished.

Once complete, the N20 detour route (US 89T) will reduce travel time for motorists heading to and from Page and the Lake Powell area. Currently, the primary detour is to take US 160 to State Route 98, which is approximately 115-miles long and 45 miles longer than the direct route. By paving N20, the detour route would be cut nearly in half.

“An important thing for drivers to remember is that while ADOT is working on the N20 project, motorists are advised to stick with the current established detour, which is using US 160 to State Route 98,” said Rob Samour, ADOT senior deputy state engineer of operations. “We are grateful for the support of our many partners, including the Navajo Nation, Federal Highway Administration, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Navajo Division of Transportation who helped get this project off the ground in a very short time since the Feb. 20 landslide.”

The $35 million improvement project is eligible for reimbursement through the Federal Highway Administration's emergency relief program, which provides funding to state and local agencies for the repair or reconstruction of highways, roads and bridges that are damaged in natural disasters and catastrophic failures. ADOT has already been awarded $35 million in federal aid, including $2 million in quick release funds to assess the damage and the stability of the mountain slope, and conduct emergency operations.

After the reconstruction of US 89 is complete, US 89T will be relinquished to the Navajo Nation. There is no timetable for reopening the highway but ADOT is committed to restoring this important travel route as soon as safely possible.

US 89 has been closed north of Bitter Springs and south of Page since Feb. 20 due to a landslide that buckled pavement on the mountain slope.

ADOT is currently in the final stages of its geotechnical investigation, which is the first phase of the solution. Crews are monitoring the stability of the slope and the ultimate repair of US 89 will be based on the results of the geotechnical work.

ADOT has launched a range of communication tools, including a web page dedicated to keeping the public informed about the status of the closure and alternate travel routes, complemented by up-to-date video and photos of the roadway damage on US 89.