SR 89A

Your opinion: SR 89A through Oak Creek Canyon rules Arizona's scenic drives

Your opinion: SR 89A through Oak Creek Canyon rules Arizona's scenic drives

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Your opinion: SR 89A through Oak Creek Canyon rules Arizona's scenic drives

Your opinion: SR 89A through Oak Creek Canyon rules Arizona's scenic drives

May 9, 2017

By Peter Corbett / ADOT Communications

Arizona travelers are captivated by Oak Creek Canyon, with its greenery, flowing water and red rock views.

In a series of informal polls posted recently by ADOT's Twitter account, @ArizonaDOT, participants selected the 16 miles of State Route 89A running north from Sedona as the state’s best scenic drive. US 163 through Monument Valley was the runner-up, followed by SR 89A's twisting run over Mingus Mountain from Jerome to Prescott Valley. Then came SR 89 from Prescott to Congress.

The four preliminary polls (see below) and the final poll (shown above), posted Sunday through Tuesday, drew nearly 2,000 votes. Winners of the initial polls advanced to the final.

There's certainly nothing scientific about this polling, but it was a decisive win for SR 89A through Oak Creek Canyon, a magnet for hikers, swimmers and sightseers, especially on weekends and holidays.

Second-place US 163 through Monument Valley near Kayenta is a far more remote scenic drive that’s lightly traveled. The towering buttes of Monument Valley have a cinematic history that includes John Ford’s “Stagecoach” in 1939, “Forrest Gump” in 1994 and “Transformers: The Age of Extinction” in 2014.

Other scenic routes that scored well but didn't advance to the final included:

  • US 60 through Salt River Canyon north of Globe.
  • US 89A from Lees Ferry to Fredonia.
  • SR 64 from Grand Canyon to Cameron.
  • SR 88 the Apache Trail from Apache Junction to Roosevelt Lake.

We use ADOT's Twitter account, which has nearly 180,000 followers, to keep motorists current on road conditions, closures and highway news. Like ADOT's Facebook page, it's also a good way for you to get questions answered on traffic conditions and more.

We hope participants enjoyed us turning the tables and putting questions to them via social media. We enjoyed it too and plan to offer more polls in the near future.

Preliminary round results

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Poll Results

ADOT catching up with pavement repair in Flagstaff area

ADOT catching up with pavement repair in Flagstaff area

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT catching up with pavement repair in Flagstaff area

ADOT catching up with pavement repair in Flagstaff area

March 31, 2017

PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Transportation maintenance crews remain busy with pavement repairs along northern Arizona highways following an active winter storm season.

During the week of April 3-7, crews are scheduled to add a new layer of asphalt to smooth rough sections I-40 in the Parks area between Flagstaff and Williams.

Asphalt overlays also will continue on State Route 89A in Oak Creek Canyon.

Potholes in the pavement can pop up quickly when moisture seeps into and below asphalt. In northern Arizona, the situation is often exasperated by the combination of freezing overnight temperatures and daytime thawing. The Flagstaff area usually experiences more than 200 daily freeze-thaw cycles each year. Under the pounding of heavy traffic, the stressed pavement can break away.

ADOT also has two projects scheduled later this year along I-40 between Flagstaff and Williams to add a new layer of pavement in both directions.

Crews continue pavement repairs on northern Arizona highways

Crews continue pavement repairs on northern Arizona highways

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Crews continue pavement repairs on northern Arizona highways

Crews continue pavement repairs on northern Arizona highways

March 17, 2017

PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Transportation maintenance crews are continuing pavement repairs along northern Arizona highways after winter storms.

Next week, crews will lay asphalt over existing pavement to smooth sections of Interstate 40 at milepost 156 westbound and continue this work between mileposts 169 and 172 eastbound, about 10 miles east of Williams.

Patch work and asphalt overlays also will continue on State Route 89A in Oak Creek Canyon.

Potholes can pop up quickly when moisture seeps into and below asphalt, which in northern Arizona can be stressed by the combination of freezing overnight temperatures and daytime thawing. The Flagstaff area usually experiences more than 200 daily freeze-thaw cycles each year. Add heavy traffic, and this stressed pavement can break away.

ADOT has two projects coming later this year along I-40 between Flagstaff and Williams that will add a new layer of pavement in both directions. 

Warmer weather helps crews catch up on pavement repairs in northern Arizona

Warmer weather helps crews catch up on pavement repairs in northern Arizona

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Warmer weather helps crews catch up on pavement repairs in northern Arizona

Warmer weather helps crews catch up on pavement repairs in northern Arizona

March 10, 2017

PHOENIX – With warmer weather in the high country, Arizona Department of Transportation maintenance crews are catching up with pavement repair along Interstates 17 and 40 and State Route 89A after an active winter season.

Next week, crews will lay asphalt over existing pavement to smooth rough sections of road along I-40 between mileposts 169 and 172 eastbound, about 10 miles east of Williams. Work will also occur on I-40 eastbound at mileposts 92, 96 and 102-104, in between the US 93 junction and Seligman.

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Patch work and overlays will also continue on State Route 89A in Oak Creek Canyon.

Potholes can pop up quickly when moisture seeps into and below asphalt, which in northern Arizona can be stressed by the combination of freezing overnight temperatures and daytime thawing. The Flagstaff area usually experiences more than 200 daily freeze-thaw cycles each year. Add heavy traffic, and this stressed pavement can break away.

ADOT has two projects coming later this year along I-40 between Flagstaff and Williams that will add a new layer of pavement in both directions.

Project making safety improvements to State Route 89A south of Flagstaff

Project making safety improvements to State Route 89A south of Flagstaff

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Project making safety improvements to State Route 89A south of Flagstaff

Project making safety improvements to State Route 89A south of Flagstaff

March 8, 2017

PHOENIX – A federal project improving safety and traffic flow along State Route 89A between the Flagstaff area and Oak Creek Canyon requires daytime restrictions on weekdays and, starting later this month, overnight closures.

The work, performed by the Office of Federal Lands Highway under an Arizona Department of Transportation permit, is adding right-turn and passing lanes and wider shoulders along eight miles between the Vista Point Overlook and JW Powell Boulevard just south of Flagstaff. Crews also are flattening side slopes to improve a recovery zone allowing drivers to regain control of vehicles that leave the roadway.

While the project continues until the fall, SR 89A will be reduced to one lane on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Flaggers and a pilot car will guide motorists through the work zone.

Starting March 20, this stretch will be closed nightly from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Interstate 17 to and from State Route 179 is an alternate route at night and for those wishing to avoid work-related delays on weekdays.

There will be no daytime restrictions on weekends or major holidays, and there will be no overnight restrictions on major holidays.

The work continues a project that began last year. 

For the most current information about highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information site at az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT).

Information on the Office of Federal Lands Highway, a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation, is available at flh.fhwa.dot.gov.

ADOT project will install protective fencing to Midgley Bridge near Sedona

ADOT project will install protective fencing to Midgley Bridge near Sedona

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT project will install protective fencing to Midgley Bridge near Sedona

ADOT project will install protective fencing to Midgley Bridge near Sedona

December 1, 2016

PHOENIX – In partnership with Sedona, the U.S. Forest Service and Coconino County, the Arizona Department of Transportation will add protective fencing over the next few weeks to Midgley Bridge along State Route 89A.

The city of Sedona sought ADOT’s help after four people committed suicide from the bridge in 2015. After working with a nonprofit organization to add signs carrying the number of a suicide-prevention hotline, ADOT worked with area partners to design fencing for the bridge, located a mile and a half north of Sedona. 

“We are responding to the community’s concerns and acting in the interest of public safety,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Fencing can complement a broader community response by acting as an additional barrier and possible deterrent.”

Work to install fencing will involve overnight lane closures and alternating traffic over the bridge, located at milepost 376. The restriction will be in place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sundays through Fridays beginning  Monday, Dec. 5, and ending Friday, Dec. 23. If necessary, work will resume on Monday, Dec. 26, and continue until complete.

The 10-foot-tall fencing, which will be chain-link style and attached to the bridge’s railings, is designed to be difficult to climb.

I-17/SR 89A intersection improvements wrap up near Flagstaff

I-17/SR 89A intersection improvements wrap up near Flagstaff

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I-17/SR 89A intersection improvements wrap up near Flagstaff

I-17/SR 89A intersection improvements wrap up near Flagstaff

September 16, 2015

Taken last week, this photo gives a look at the I-17/JW Powell traffic interchange improvement project.

It’s been a while since we last checked in up north on the I-17/JW Powell traffic interchange improvement project.

You remember this one, right? It was designed to improve traffic patterns and flow in the area near Fort Tuthill County Park by realigning SR 89A/Beulah Boulevard and constructing two roundabouts to provide a safer transition for traffic through the intersections.

Construction began in June 2014, but crews were actually at the site a year before that to thin out the trees in the project areas.

Before the project started, drivers were faced with one intersection (SR 89A/JW Powell Boulevard – also the south entrance to the Fort Tuthill County Park) that was very close to another intersection (JW Powell/I-17, which leads to the I-17 southbound ramps).

Now, for an update…

It’s done! Work is wrapping up and crews are in the process of pulling down construction signs. As you can see from the photo above, the area looks different than it did when construction was underway.

OK, so that update was short, but we also want to thank drivers for their patience during construction.

If you’d like to learn more about this project, please revisit our previous post and check out this informative video that gives a great overview of why the improvements were needed.

SR 89A Oak Creek bank protection project is underway

SR 89A Oak Creek bank protection project is underway

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SR 89A Oak Creek bank protection project is underway

SR 89A Oak Creek bank protection project is underway

June 2, 2015

It’s not all roads and bridges, here at ADOT. Sometimes the projects we take on include stabilizing the areas near a highway…

In the past, we’ve blogged about the different methods used to stabilize slopes, but today we’re taking a look at a new project that will help to stabilize and improve erosion protection along the eastern bank of Oak Creek on SR 89A, north of Sedona.

As you can see in the video above, last summer’s Slide Fire impacted the area. If no action was taken, the increased flow in Oak Creek this year could lead to rising waters that have the potential to wash out the roadway.

Crews are taking action and currently are working to protect SR 89A from further bank erosion. Existing protection measures will be fortified and other bank support improvements, including repairing and reinforcing gabions (wire baskets filled with rock), replacing concrete reinforcements, placing rock and cobble to enhance protection and upgrading guardrails within the project area, will be completed by August.

Besides the work itself, there are a many environmental issues to take into consideration on this project.

Flagstaff District Environmental Coordinator Rob Nelson explains in the video above the steps that are being taken to protect Oak Creek, along with a few protected species that live nearby.

“At ADOT, we’re here to improve roadways for the traveling public,” says Nelson. “You can find a good equilibrium between doing that and maintaining environment.”

What drivers need to know

Traffic will be reduced to one lane at the project location and flaggers will provide for alternating travel through the work zone. Drivers are urged to allow for extra time in travel (traffic delays from 5 to 15 minutes are anticipated). The hours of construction will run from the early morning to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, however no nighttime, weekend or holiday construction is anticipated.

Please visit the project page for more information.

SR 89A travel reduced to one lane south of switchbacks beginning Monday

SR 89A travel reduced to one lane south of switchbacks beginning Monday

I-17 101 traffic interchange

SR 89A travel reduced to one lane south of switchbacks beginning Monday

SR 89A travel reduced to one lane south of switchbacks beginning Monday

May 1, 2015

PHOENIX —  Motorists traveling on State Route 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff should allow for extra travel time as the Arizona Department of Transportation starts a safety improvement project next week to improve erosion protection along the eastern bank of Oak Creek at milepost 385, just south of the switchbacks.

Beginning on Monday, May 4, SR 89A will be reduced to one lane during daytime Monday through Friday, from the early morning hours to 4 p.m., as northbound and southbound traffic will alternate driving through the work zone.

No nighttime, weekend or holiday work is anticipated.

The repair to the creek bank will fortify support to the roadway and prepare for strong stormwater flows expected during the monsoon season. Following last year’s Slide Fire in Oak Creek Canyon, water flow in Oak Creek is expected to increase and could undermine the east bank of Oak Creek and roadway support at this location without the scheduled improvement work.

The bank protection work is anticipated to be fully completed this summer.

Flaggers will be on-site to provide alternating north- and southbound travel through the work zone. Please allow for extra travel time as delays up to 15 minutes can be expected while work is performed.

To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 511.

Crews repair, repave sinkhole on SR 89A

Crews repair, repave sinkhole on SR 89A

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Crews repair, repave sinkhole on SR 89A

Crews repair, repave sinkhole on SR 89A

February 10, 2015

Talk about a quick turnaround…

State Route 89A in the Oak Creek Canyon switchbacks (mileposts 387-390) was fully reopened this afternoon after crews repaired a sinkhole that had been discovered in the northbound lane just this past Saturday.

Geotechnical engineers completed an inspection yesterday and determined that repairs could start immediately.

“They know what goes on beneath the ground more than anyone else so we knew they would have some expertise in this situation and provide a solution to the problem we had,” says Assistant District Engineer Chad Auker in the video above.

A speedy fix
Crews used heavy equipment to excavate a six-foot deep, eight-foot-wide section of the roadway to remove about 15 cubic yards of loose material underneath the pavement near milepost 388. Next, they filled the void with a liquid concrete-cement mix that had to harden overnight before the road repaving could begin.

Today, crews repaved the northbound lane and opened the road to motorists.

Visit our Flickr page for photos of the repair project.