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.

ADOT crews are scheduled remove barriers on the left northbound lane the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 29. Restrictions on the left southbound lane are scheduled to be removed by the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 30.

The break comes as crews have finished making repairs to the left lane in each direction. Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 6, crews will put concrete barriers back in place to work on the right lane in each direction.

The project also includes moving nearly 27,000 cubic yards of dirt from the northbound side of the highway further down the slope to help stabilize the terrain.

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.

The Arizona Department of Transportation work zone is near Slate Creek, about 25 miles south of Payson between mileposts 223 and 226. The lane restrictions are in place around the clock through the fall, though ADOT plans to lift the lane closures over Labor Day weekend.

As an alternative, drivers may want to consider taking SR 260 between Interstate 17 at Camp Verde and Payson, especially on weekends.

The SR 87 project is part of a larger effort to repair infrastructure damage and stabilize the terrain after devices used to measure ground movement registered some movement in slopes next to the highway. Over the next several months, crews will move nearly 27,000 cubic yards of dirt from along the northbound side of the highway to a location downhill.

A paving project on another main route to the White Mountains is now scheduled to start Monday, July 24. Crews will be paving US 60 through the Salt River Canyon area between Globe and Show Low. The work will take place Mondays through Fridays in segments through the 16-mile project area. The highway will be restricted to one lane with flagging operations guiding vehicles through the work zone, and drivers should be prepared for delays of up to 30 minutes.

The Salt River Canyon Rest Area will also temporarily close to the public for about two weeks beginning Sunday, July 23.

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.

The lane restrictions are scheduled to be in place through fall, including on weekends. ADOT plans to temporarily lift the lane closures over the Labor Day holiday weekend.

Drivers heading to and from Payson and the White Mountains region should plan for extra travel time along SR 87. A 10-foot width restriction for vehicles also will be in effect while the project is taking place.

Crews began making repairs to the highway’s drainage system near Slate Creek earlier this year. Damage to some drainage pipes had occurred and devices used to measure ground movement, called inclinometers, had registered some slight movement in slopes next to the highway.

Over the next several months, crews will move nearly 27,000 cubic yards of dirt from along the northbound side of the highway to a location further down a slope to help stabilize the area.

“We’re proactive when it comes to roadway and driver safety,” said Audra Merrick, ADOT’s North Central district engineer. “While this work at times will impact those looking to escape the heat in the Phoenix area, our goal is to keep travelers along SR 87 safe and prevent further damage to the highway.”

PHOENIX – Mild summer weather that makes Arizona’s high country a magnet for travelers also allows the Arizona Department of Transportation to begin work on paving projects, including one that will create a smoother ride along 12 miles of Interstate 40 west of Flagstaff.

While ADOT endeavors to avoid work on summer weekends and holidays in the high country, motorists should do their research and be prepared for restrictions that may be in place even if work isn’t occurring on a project. For the most current information about highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information site at az511.gov or call 511. In addition, ADOT’s Twitter account (@ArizonaDOT) is an excellent source of information and interaction.

On Sunday night, June 11, crews will begin repaving both directions of I-40 between Parks and A-1 Mountain, a stretch that has seen pavement damage from a combination of winter freeze-thaw cycles and snowplowing, in addition to heavy use by commercial vehicles.

The work will take place overnight between the hours of 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. Sundays through Fridays. Temporary lane restrictions will be required while crews are paving; however, one lane will remain open in each direction along I-40 during the repaving work. Crews will start near Parks at milepost 179 and work east toward Flagstaff.

The majority of the I-40 work is expected to be completed later this fall, with final paving work happening next spring.

On June 12, ADOT will begin a pavement preservation project on State Route 87 approximately 20 miles north of Strawberry. Work will occur on a 26-mile stretch between Lake Mary Road and milepost 317 during the day Monday through Friday.

One lane will remain open at all times, with a pilot car guiding drivers through the work zone. No work is expected on weekends and holidays.

A similar project with similar restrictions is already underway on a 27-mile stretch of State Route 389 in northern Arizona between Colorado City and milepost 28, just west of Fredonia.

Both of these pavement preservation projects are anticipated to be complete later this summer.

Drivers should proceed through work zones with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

For more information on these and other ADOT projects, visit azdot.gov.

PHOENIX – Motorists traveling between Holbrook and the East Valley may see Pony Express re-enactment riders carrying mail along state highways from Wednesday, Feb. 8, through Friday, Feb. 10, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Departing from Holbrook at 8 a.m. Wednesday, the Hashknife Pony Express riders will stop at post offices in Heber-Overgaard, Payson and Fountain Hills en route to their final destination in downtown Scottsdale. The Navajo County Sheriff’s Posse has been staging this 200-mile ride for nearly 60 years.

Law enforcement officers will provide a safety escort for the riders, who hand off the mail bags every mile of the relay route. The riders travel along the edge of the highway or shoulder.

Motorists should not stop along the highway to photograph riders.

The Pony Express will travel along State Route 77, SR 377 and SR 277 to reach the Heber-Overgaard post office around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. They will take SR 260 from Heber to Payson, with a scheduled arrival at the post office about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday.

On Thursday, the Pony Express will take SR 87 to reach the Fountain Hills post office about 3 p.m. The final leg on Friday, from Fort McDowell to downtown Scottsdale, takes them south on SR 87 to the Arizona Canal, where riders will head west.

More information on this event is available at HashknifePonyExpress.com.

PHOENIX — Just in time for the busy Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Arizona Department of Transportation lifted all traffic restrictions along State Route 87 at shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, as the agency nears completion of a safety improvement project approximately 10 miles north of Sunflower near the Maricopa/Gila County line.

Since construction started in October, motorists traveling between Phoenix and Payson have encountered a series of traffic restrictions related to a $6.2 million project to reconstruct an existing curve to make it easier for vehicles to navigate through at milepost 227, as well as building a new northbound truck escape ramp at milepost 228.

In addition to all four lanes (two in each direction) being reopened through the work zone, all wide load restrictions were removed permanently as well.

The project also includes slope excavation and reconstruction, drainage improvements, new signage and new concrete barrier installation. 

The new runaway truck escape ramp will offer an opportunity for out-of-control trucks, which may have inoperable brakes, to safely exit the highway and come to a controlled stop. The truck escape ramp is scheduled to open next month, but there will not be an impact to the traveling public as the remaining work on that project will be completed away from the four-lane highway.

Beginning Tuesday, May 26, drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions in both directions for miscellaneous work through the end of June.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up to date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at az511.gov or call 5-1-1.

PHOENIX — Motorists traveling between Fountain Hills and Payson this month are urged to allow extra travel time as all State Route 87 traffic will be shifted to the northbound lanes beginning Thursday, April 9, as part of an ongoing safety improvement project north of Sunflower from mileposts 223 to 229.

Traffic in both directions will use the northbound lanes to form a two-lane roadway through the work zone. A 10-foot width restriction will be in place through April 24.

Delays up to 30 minutes are possible.

The $6.2 million safety improvement project, which began in October approximately seven miles south of the State Route 188 junction, includes the reconstruction of an existing curve at milepost 227 to make it easier for motorists to navigate, as well as building a new northbound truck escape ramp at milepost 228. Runaway truck ramps offer an opportunity for an out-of-control truck, which may have inoperable brakes, to safely exit the highway and come to a controlled stop.

The project is scheduled to be completed prior to the Memorial Day holiday.

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage. ADOT advises drivers to allow additional time to reach their destinations and to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up to date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at az511.gov or call 5-1-1.