PHOENIX – With springtime upon us, the Arizona Department of Transportation reopened three White Mountains-area state highways Thursday, April 15, after being closed for the winter.

State Route 261 runs from State Route 260 near Eagar to Big Lake, while State Route 273 goes from SR 260 to Sunrise Park and Big Lake.

State Route 473, runs south from SR 260 on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, to Hawley Lake.

State Route 366, which leads up Mount Graham near Safford, also reopened on April 15. However, ADOT is still in the middle of a roadway repair project and drivers should continue to expect delays on SR 366 as work continues. The project is to repair damage caused during the 2017 Frye Fire on Mount Graham.

Another highway that closes for the winter, State Route 67, leading to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, is scheduled to reopen with park facilities in mid-May.

When traveling this year, please remember to do the following:

• Make sure all occupants in a vehicle are buckled in.
• Check tire pressure, fluids and more to make sure a vehicle is in proper running condition.
• Be patient, including not following other vehicles too closely and building in extra travel time.
• Get enough sleep before the trip.
• Bring extra water and food.
• Never drink and drive.
• Check for information about highway restrictions and more by visiting az511.gov, calling 511 or following ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT).

PHOENIX – Motorists on State Route 366 (Swift Trail) near Safford should expect intermittent delays starting Monday, Jan. 4, to repair damage from the 2017 Frye Fire on Mount Graham.

The work is scheduled for up to two years on SR 366 between mileposts 118 and 140. Key elements of the project include:

• Removal of burned trees
• Repairs to the road surface in some locations
• Drainage repairs
• Box culvert replacements
• A chip seal on the paved portion of the highway

While SR 366 will remain open during repairs, drivers should continue to expect standard wintertime closures on the upper, unpaved portion of the highway. 

Most work will occur on weekdays, with some weekend work possible. Drivers should expect delays of up to 30 minutes. The contractor may work on two locations at a time, which could lead to multiple delays for drivers traveling through the area. Signals or flaggers will be used to control traffic.

ADOT is performing the repairs in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Forest Service.

Drivers should proceed with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment. For more information, go to the project website.

PHOENIX – With the winter months rapidly approaching, the Arizona Department of Transportation will close State Route 473 in the White Mountains area and State Route 366, also known as Swift Trail, heading up Mount Graham in southern Arizona for the winter on Monday. Nov. 16.

State Route 67 leading to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon will close on Dec. 1, while other White Mountains area highways such as state route 261 and 273 will close by Dec. 31. These highways could close sooner depending on the weather.

ADOT closes these highways annually as part of the agency’s winter shutdown schedule due to significant amounts of snowfall these regions typically receive.

ADOT reminds motorists heading into snow country to drive with caution and follow this advice:

• Don’t let GPS and navigation apps replace common sense. When a highway is closed, a suggested alternate route involving an unpaved, unplowed road can lead you into danger.
• Pack an emergency kit, a fully charged mobile device, extra clothing, blankets, water and snacks.
• Slow down. Drive defensively. Be patient and allow additional time for your trip. Never pass a snowplow.
• Leave sufficient space between your vehicle and those ahead of you. Give yourself plenty of room and time to stop or to avoid hazards.
• Make sure your vehicle has plenty of fuel.
• Check weather and road conditions before you travel. Let someone know your route.
• Bring a small bag of sand (or cat litter) for wheel traction.

Additional information on winter driving is available at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

PHOENIX – The upper, unpaved portion of State Route 366, which ascends Mount Graham into the Pinaleño Mountains southwest of Safford, reopened Friday, April 24, for the spring, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

SR 366, also known as the Swift Trail, begins about 5 miles south of Safford off of US 191.

Before heading off to enjoy the mountains, motorists should do the following:

• Make sure all occupants in a vehicle are buckled in.
• Check tire pressure, fluids and more to make sure a vehicle is in proper running condition.
• Be patient, including not following other vehicles too closely and building in extra travel time.
• Get enough sleep before the trip.
• Bring extra water and food.
• Never drink and drive.

Check for information about highway restrictions and more by visiting az511.gov, calling 511 or following ADOT on Twitter @ArizonaDOT.

PHOENIX – With another winter behind us, three White Mountains-area state highways leading to lakes are scheduled to reopen Monday, April 15, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

They are: State Route 261 between Eagar and Big Lake; State Route 273 between Sunrise Park and Big Lake; and State Route 473 between State Route 260 and Hawley Lake.

State Route 366, also known as Swift Trail, which runs up Mount Graham in southeastern Arizona, is scheduled to open on April 15 as well.

Another highway that closes for the winter, State Route 67, leading to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, is expected to reopen in mid-May.

Before heading off to enjoy the mountains, motorists should do the following:

• Make sure all occupants in a vehicle are buckled in.
• Check tire pressure, fluids and more to make sure a vehicle is in proper running condition.
• Be patient, including not following other vehicles too closely and building in extra travel time.
• Get enough sleep before the trip.
• Bring extra water and food.
• Never drink and drive.
• Check for information about highway restrictions and more by visiting az511.gov, calling 511 or following ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT).

PHOENIX – The Federal Highway Administration is providing $7 million in emergency relief funds to help cover the Arizona Department of Transportation’s cost of repairing two state highways damaged by flooding last summer.

A long stretch of State Route 88 northeast of Apache Junction experienced structural erosion following an intense monsoon storm last July. The highway remained open while ADOT made emergency repairs, and now much of that stretch is part of a previously planned safety-improvement project.

On Mount Graham in southeastern Arizona, runoff from areas scarred by the Frye Fire, which started in early June, damaged the upper reaches of State Route 366, also known as Swift Trail. Because of damage to the roadway and concerns about flash flooding from burned areas, the highest reaches of the highway remained closed until mid-September.

Governor Doug Ducey issued an emergency declaration for both highways.

The $7 million reimbursement allows ADOT to put money spent on these emergency repairs toward other highway projects.

The emergency funds cover the cost of initial repairs to both highways, emergency repairs to SR 88 and preliminary design work to address longer-term issues from flooding along SR 366. ADOT will seek an additional $4 million in emergency relief funds for permanent restoration on SR 366.

PHOENIX – With another winter season in the books, three state highways to lakes in the White Mountains are scheduled to reopen Thursday, April 12, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

They are: State Route 261 between Eagar and Big Lake; State Route 273 between Sunrise Park and Big Lake; and State Route 473 between State Route 260 and Hawley Lake.

State Route 366, also known as Swift Trail that runs up Mount Graham in southeastern Arizona, is scheduled to open on April 15.

Another highway that closes for the winter, State Route 67, leading to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, is anticipated to reopen in mid-May.

Before heading off to enjoy the mountains, motorists should do the following:

• Make sure all occupants in a vehicle are buckled in.
• Check tire pressure, fluids and more to make sure a vehicle is in proper running condition.
• Be patient, including not following other vehicles too closely and building in extra travel time.
• Get enough sleep before the trip.
• Bring extra water and food.
• Never drink and drive.
• Check for information about highway restrictions and more by visiting az511.gov, calling 511 or following ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT).