PHOENIX –  Rockfall has closed State Route 88 just west of State Route 188, blocking access between Roosevelt Lake and Apache Lake, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. The closure is at milepost 242, which is 2 miles west of Roosevelt.

There is no estimated reopening time; however, this is expected to be an extended closure while crews remove earth and rocks.

In addition, an unpaved section of SR 88 remains closed indefinitely between the Fish Hill Creek overlook at milepost 229 and the Apache Lake Marina turnoff near milepost 222 due to extensive damage that occurred last year from flooding out of the Woodbury Fire burn scar.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511 and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT. When a freeway closure or other major traffic event occurs, our free app available at ADOTAlerts.com will send critical information directly to app users in affected areas – where possible, in advance of alternate routes.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has reopened 9 miles of State Route 88 between Tortilla Flat and the Fish Creek Hill scenic overlook to the east, but an unpaved stretch remains closed indefinitely between the overlook and the Apache Lake Marina turnoff due to extensive flood damage.

Crews have worked since last September to reopen SR 88 east to the Fish Creek Hill scenic overlook, a mostly unpaved section between mileposts 213 to 222. Along with much of the rest of SR 88 in the Tonto National Forest, that area was hit by severe runoff from areas burned by the 123,000-acre Woodbury Fire.

SR 88, also known as Apache Trail, remains closed between mileposts 222 and 229 because of flood damage and the continuing potential for flooding from the Woodbury Fire burn scar. 

ADOT is maintaining access to key destinations along SR 88 from the east and west. Motorists can reach Apache Lake by taking SR 188 either from US 60 or SR 87 and taking SR 88 west from Roosevelt. High clearance vehicles are recommended on this unpaved and rough stretch.

PHOENIX – Those taking State Route 88 (Apache Trail) between Apache Junction and Tortilla Flat should use caution with some areas at the edge of the roadway coned off while the Arizona Department of Transportation addresses flood damage.

Because those areas narrow the roadway at points, towing trailers isn’t advised along the winding, two-lane stretch between Needle Vista Viewpoint (milepost 204) and Tortilla Flat (milepost 213) that also leads to Canyon Lake. Those who decide to tow trailers should slow down and keep in mind that the coned-off areas at the roadway edge can make negotiating this section more challenging.

Meanwhile, an unpaved stretch of SR 88 between Tortilla Flat and just west of Apache Lake (milepost 228) remains closed indefinitely because of flood damage from hurricane remnants that dumped heavy rain last month. Motorists can access Apache Lake by taking SR 188 from either US 60 or SR 87 and then SR 88 west. High-clearance vehicles are recommended on this unpaved section of SR 88.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511 and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT. When a freeway closure or other major traffic event occurs, our free app available at ADOTAlerts.com will send critical information directly to app users in affected areas – where possible, in advance of alternate routes.

PHOENIX – A section of State Route 88 (Apache Trail) has reopened from SR 188 to the Apache Lake marina turnoff after being closed because of flood damage.

Motorists can now access Apache Lake by taking SR 188 either from US 60 or SR 87 and taking SR 88 west. High clearance vehicles are recommended on this unpaved section of SR 88.

Motorists using SR 88 should be aware of the possibility of severe flooding and debris flows from areas affected by the Woodbury Fire, which burned 100,000 acres immediately east of and uphill from the highway.

SR 88 remains closed indefinitely between milepost 213 at Tortilla Flat to milepost 228 near Apache Lake because of damage from flooding and debris.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, or by calling 511 and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT. When a freeway closure or other major traffic event occurs, our free app available at ADOTAlerts.com will send critical information directly to app users in affected areas – where possible, in advance of alternate routes.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has reopened the last stretch of State Route 88 (Apache Trail) that had been closed since the Woodbury Fire burned more than 100,000 acres immediately east of the roadway. This unpaved section lies between milepost 220 east of Tortilla Flat and milepost 229 just west of the turnoff to the Apache Lake marina.

Motorists using SR 88 should be aware of the possibility of severe flooding and debris flows from areas burned in the Woodbury Fire. Daylight travel is recommended.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511 and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT. When a freeway closure or other major traffic event occurs, our free app available at ADOTAlerts.com will send critical information directly to app users in affected areas – where possible, in advance of alternate routes.

PHOENIX – Because of the potential for severe flooding from areas burned in the Woodbury Fire, a 7-mile, unpaved section of State Route 88 (Apache Trail) will remain closed from an area several miles east of Tortilla Flat to just west of the Apache Lake marina turnoff while the Arizona Department of Transportation continues assessing conditions.

The Woodbury Fire burned more than 100,000 acres immediately east of and uphill from SR 88. Because runoff and debris flows can be much more intense after a wildfire, conditions are such that flash flooding from monsoon storms could damage SR 88’s stream crossings, posing a threat to those on the highway and to those who may become trapped between areas damaged by flooding.

Changing the closure points to mileposts 222 and 229 restores vehicle access to the Apache Lake Marina at the eastern end and moves the western closure point farther east from Tortilla Flat, which along with Canyon Lake remains accessible from Apache Junction. Apache Lake access roads are accessible by taking State Route 188 from either US 60 or State Route 87 and taking SR 88 west.

In consultation with the U.S. Forest Service, which is in charge of the land beyond SR 88, ADOT will continue evaluating conditions along SR 88 to determine when it is safe to reopen the highway in its entirety.