SR 87

The name of the route commonly called the Beeline Highway was officially changed to the Duthie-Martin Highway in honor of two law enforcement officers who lost their lives on the road in the line of duty.

An undated photo warning drivers about a tight turn ahead gives us the chance to talk a bit about the history of State Route 87 north of Payson.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation wants your input on potential projects to improve safety and mobility on State Route 87 between Fountain Hills and Payson, a popular route for those traveling to the high country.

There's a lot of logistics and planning that goes into large products, like the concrete deck pour for the expansion project of I-10 in Casa Grande.

Opening expected in mid-June

Interstate 10: Earley Road to Interstate 8If a picture is worth a thousand words, then slideshows of our I-10 widening projects in Casa Grande and the Eloy area are worth many thousands.

Rather than hearing us drone on about progress on our I-10 widening project in Eloy, take a look at a drone video.

Project on schedule for completion at this time next year

June 18-22

Building a bridge requires quite a bit of weightlifting when it comes to setting girders that will carry the deck and traffic.

A new bridge used only for construction will help expedite a project widening I-10 and creating a new interchange at SR 87.

PHOENIX – While lane restrictions on southbound State Route 87 have been lifted, drivers headed to Payson and the Mogollon Rim area should continue to budget extra travel time as the northbound lane restriction continues near Slate Creek while crews continue to rebuild the right lane.

This critical Arizona Department of Transportation safety project is expected to be completed this fall.

PHOENIX – Crews will be removing concrete barriers on southbound State Route 87 tomorrow near Slate Creek after completing repairs, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The removal of the barriers will require the closure of the southbound lanes for 20-minute intervals between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Drivers headed to the Valley from the Mogollon Rim area should budget extra travel time and be prepared for delays.

Northbound restrictions will remain in place while crews finish rebuilding the right lane.

Critical repairs on SR 87 continue and crews are working to complete the project by late fall.

PHOENIX – To improve safety and reduce the chance for rockfalls, the Arizona Department of Transportation will be starting a rock removal project on State Route 87 7 miles north of the State Route 260 junction on Monday, Sept. 25.

Drivers should budget extra travel time for moving through the 2-mile project area between mileposts 285 and 287. A pilot car will be in place to guide traffic through the work zone. Drivers should prepare for 20-minute delays.

PHOENIX – Lane restrictions that have been in place for urgently needed repairs along State Route 87 south of Payson are being temporarily lifted for the busy Labor Day travel period.

One lane has been closed in each direction between mileposts 223 and 226 so the Arizona Department of Transportation can repair the roadway and drainage systems and stabilize the terrain after sensors detected slight ground movement near Slate Creek, about 25 miles south of Payson.

PHOENIX – Drivers should budget extra time and consider an alternate route between the Phoenix area and Rim Country, especially on the weekends, with State Route 87 reduced to one lane in each direction south of Payson for a critically needed project that is repairing a section of highway and stabilizing the terrain around it.

PHOENIX – Drivers who use State Route 87 between the Phoenix area and Payson should plan on extra travel time starting Tuesday, July 11, when the next phase of an improvement project focusing on roadway repair and erosion control gets underway.

When the SR 87 work zone is set up in the Slate Creek area about 25 miles south of Payson, the highway will be narrowed to one lane in each direction between mileposts 223 and 226, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Four ADOT projects will boost Arizona's economy more than $147 million over the next few years.