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.

PHOENIX — Motorists traveling between Phoenix and Payson on Monday, Jan. 26 are urged to allow extra travel time as northbound traffic will be restricted as part of a safety improvement project on State Route 87 north of Sunflower from mileposts 223 to 229.

From 2 a.m. through 8 p.m. on Jan. 26, northbound SR 87 traffic will be stopped at the work zone and southbound SR 87 will convert to a two-lane roadway as northbound drivers will be guided through the work zone with a the aid of a pilot car. Delays of up to 30 minutes are possible. 

The work, which was originally scheduled for this week, was rescheduled due to material delays.

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, as well as building a new northbound truck escape ramp at milepost 228. Runaway truck ramps 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 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.

PHOENIX — Motorists who regularly travel between Phoenix and Payson on State Route 87 are urged to plan ahead or allow extra travel time as the Arizona Department of Transportation continues to make progress on an improvement project, approximately 10 miles north of Sunflower.

For the next two months, drivers need to be aware of daytime and nighttime restrictions between mileposts 221 and 228, approximately seven miles south of the State Route 188 junction. 

Northbound traffic headed to Payson on SR 87 will be narrowed to one lane and a 10-foot width restriction will be in effect until project completion in mid-May 2015. 

In addition, northbound SR 87 will be closed through the work zone between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. Sunday night through Friday mornings for the next two months for slope excavation work. Northbound drivers will be shifted to southbound SR 87, which will become a two-way roadway with one lane in each direction.

Drivers will be guided through the work zone with the aid of a pilot car with delays of up to 30 minutes. 

The $6.2 million safety improvement project, which began last month, includes the reconstruction of an existing curve at milepost 227, as well as building a new northbound truck escape ramp at milepost 228. Runaway truck ramps offer an opportunity for out-of-control trucks, which may have inoperable brakes, to safely exit the highway and come to a controlled stop.

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 who regularly travel between Phoenix and Payson on State Route 87 need to plan ahead or allow extra travel time as the Arizona Department of Transportation starts work next week on a safety improvement project, approximately 10 miles north of Sunflower.

Major improvements on the $6.2 million project include the reconstruction of an existing curve at milepost 227, as well as building a new southbound truck escape ramp at milepost 228. Runaway truck ramps 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 project also includes slope excavation and reconstruction, drainage improvements, new signage and new concrete barrier installation.

Work will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 7 and drivers need to be aware of alternating daytime and nighttime single-lane restrictions in both directions on SR 87 through the work zone until the project is completed prior to the start of the busy summer tourism season in Payson. Minimal delays are expected.

Overnight work hours will be Sunday through Thursday between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m., and daytime work hours will be Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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.