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.

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.

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.

PHOENIX — The new year is shaping up to be a big year for the Arizona Department of Transportation, as the agency will be working on several new and existing projects that will aid economic development and support the efficient movement of goods and services across the state.

All of the projects will be funded with federal and state highway funds, which are collected through gas and vehicle license taxes. In the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas, voters have approved supplemental tax revenue that enables more transportation projects to move forward in their respective regions. 

Phoenix-Area Projects for 2015

Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway
ADOT expects to release the Record of Decision for the long-proposed South Mountain Freeway this spring and work toward selecting a contractor for the proposed $1.9 billion project. The 22-mile-long freeway would run east and west along Pecos Road and then turn north between 55th and 63rd avenues, connecting with I-10 on each end. The South Mountain Freeway is also part of the Regional Transportation Plan funding passed by Maricopa County voters in 2004 through Proposition 400. 

Loop 101 and Loop 202 Widening Projects in East Valley
Much of the focus on freeway improvements in the metro Phoenix area will remain on projects that broke ground in 2014 and are due for completion in 2016. The $73 million Loop 101 widening project between Shea Boulevard and Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) in the Scottsdale area is adding an additional lane in each direction along 11 miles of the Pima Freeway, as well as merge lanes between most major interchanges. The $109 million project to widen the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway between Loop 101 in Tempe and Broadway Road in east Mesa also will advance, with new general purpose lanes being added between Loop 101 and Gilbert Road, along with HOV lanes between Gilbert Road and Broadway Road.

Interstate 10/Loop 303 Interchange
Among the new freeway projects scheduled to start this year is the “south half” of the Interstate 10/Loop 303 Interchange, which will complete all ramp connections between the two freeways in Goodyear. Work is expected to start this fall. The north half of the interchange opened last August and, combined with a widened Loop 303 north of I-10, has been embraced by West Valley communities as much-needed infrastructure to help drive economic development in the region. 

Additional Loop 303 Improvements in Northwest Valley
Farther north along Loop 303, ADOT will launch a project to add an interchange at El Mirage Road by this spring. The new interchange will be built at the same time that crews are improving Loop 303 into a six-lane freeway between Grand Avenue (US 60) and Happy Valley Parkway in Peoria. A third project already underway is creating improved connections at the Loop 303/Grand Avenue interchange. All three projects are scheduled for completion in 2016.

US 60 Improvements in Surprise
Also in Surprise, a project to build a Bell Road bridge over Grand Avenue (US 60) and new ramps connecting the two roadways is scheduled to start late in the year, after a design-build contracting team is selected by ADOT. 

Tucson-Area Projects for 2015 

Interstate 19 Traffic Interchange Reconstruction (Ajo Way)
In 2015, ADOT will begin work to replace the existing Interstate 19 traffic interchange at State Route 86, also known as Ajo Way, with a single-point urban interchange. The modern interchange will feature a single set of traffic signals, rather than signals at multiple locations. The $86 million project is expected to improve traffic flow and enhance safety for motorists traveling through Tucson’s southwest side. Construction is expected to continue through 2017 and will also include widening I-19 from Ajo Way to Irvington Road and widening SR 86 to three lanes in each direction between 16th Avenue and Holiday Isle.

State Route 77 Widening (Tangerine Road to Pinal County Line)
After starting work in summer 2014, ADOT will continue efforts to upgrade a six-mile section of SR 77 (Oracle Road) between Tangerine Road and the Pinal county line from two lanes to three lanes in each direction. Along with widening the roadway, planned improvements include raised medians, traffic signal and drainage improvements, wildlife crossings, sound walls and multiuse paths. The $33.9 million project is slated to take two years to complete. 

State Route 86 Widening (Valencia to Kinney Roads)
In 2015, ADOT is expected to begin construction on expanding SR 86 (Ajo Highway) in each direction from Valencia to Kinney roads in Pima County, 10 miles west of downtown Tucson. This seven-mile-long, $55 million project in Pima County will enhance safety and improve traffic flow on the highway, which serves as a regional transportation route between Tucson and south-central Arizona. SR 86 provides access to the Tohono O'odham Nation and is widely used to reach the popular tourist destination in Mexico called Puerto Peñasco, also known as Rocky Point.

Statewide Projects for 2015

Northern Arizona

US 93 Widening (State Route 71 to State Route 89 and Antelope Wash sections)
ADOT will continue long-standing efforts to transform the heavily traveled corridor between Phoenix and Las Vegas into a modern four-lane divided highway throughout the entire 200-mile stretch with two US 93 widening projects this year. After beginning last year, ADOT will complete upgrading a three-mile segment of US 93 (Antelope Wash), located approximately 20 miles north of Wikieup (mileposts 101-104) this summer. A second US 93 widening project (State Route 71 to State Route 89), just north of Wickenburg (mileposts 185-190), is expected to break ground this spring. 

State Route 89A Spot Widening (Vista Overlook to JW Powell)
This $22.5 million project is slated to improve safety and traffic flow by widening the roadway and constructing passing lanes entering and exiting Oak Creek Canyon through an eight-mile stretch from the popular tourist destination Vista Overlook to the JW Powell interchange, three miles south of Flagstaff. Design of the project is nearly complete and ADOT hopes to start construction this year.

Interstate 40 Pavement Improvements (various projects)
ADOT has several major resurfacing projects in the works along the nearly 360-mile-long I-40, which is one of Arizona’s Key Commerce Corridors, as it stretches from California to the New Mexico state line, Three major pavement preservation projects are set to take place in 2015. This spring will complete final paving on the Rattlesnake Wash to US 93 (mileposts 57-72) section east of Kingman after the project began last summer. Later this year, ADOT will start two new resurfacing projects east of Flagstaff, including the Navajo county line to Minnetonka (milepost 250-259) and Walnut Canyon to Twin Arrows (milepost 214-218) segments.

US 89 Landslide Repairs (near Bitter Springs)
ADOT is scheduled to reopen US 89 south of Page after the highway was closed on Feb. 20, 2013 after a landslide caused serious damage to the highway near the Echo Cliffs. Major work on the repairs began on Aug. 11, 2014 as crews began excavating nearly one million cubic yards of rock near the highway to build a buttress, which will stabilize and reinforce the mountain slope that carries the roadway. The $25 million repair project remains on target to reopen to traffic this spring, in advance of this summer’s tourism season in Page and Lake Powell. 

Southern Arizona

US 60 Widening (Silver King/Superior Streets)
This spring, ADOT is expected to start a project to convert the last remaining two-lane roadway segment on US 60 between Phoenix and Superior into a modern, four-lane divided highway. The $45 million project (mileposts 222-227), which will also include improving the urban section of highway in Superior, is expected to take two years to complete.

US 95 Fortuna Wash Bridge
This $13.5 million project is part of a larger corridor improvement project for US 95, the north and south corridor between Yuma and Quartzsite. US 95 is also the main route to the Yuma Proving Ground, which is one of the largest employers in Yuma County and one of the Army’s busiest training sites in the U.S. This project includes a bridge over Fortuna Wash, which often floods during heavy rains. This project is scheduled to begin in the spring.

US 95 San Luis Street Improvements
This $11 million project includes reconfiguring San Luis Port of Entry traffic off US 95 in San Luis to facilitate business along Main Street. The project, which began in October 2014, will help the circulation of traffic, enhance pedestrian safety and improve access to downtown businesses near the U.S.-Mexico international border. Work will be completed this year.

Major Studies

Interstate 11
ADOT’s Interstate 11 and Intermountain West Corridor Study continues to move forward. This year, work will begin on an Environmental Impact Statement which will allow ADOT to begin an environmental study in the area between Nogales and Wickenburg, part of the proposed Interstate 11 and Intermountain West Corridor. The $15 million Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement is expected to take three years to complete, once work gets underway later this year. Interstate 11, which will connect Arizona to the entire Intermountain West, is one of our state’s Key Commerce Corridors. I-11 is being planned as a multimodal freight corridor and a manufacturing belt that will drive trade, commerce, job growth and economic development while facilitating strong connections to other major markets.

Passenger Rail
The next major step for ADOT’s Passenger Rail Corridor Study: Tucson to Phoenix is to publish the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for public review. Three public hearings will be held later this year in Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties to allow community members to comment on the recommendations of the study. Following the public review process, the final recommendations and environmental considerations will be issued on the Final Environmental Impact Statement for federal approval. ADOT is currently evaluating three final rail alternatives. The Passenger Rail Corridor Study is expected to be completed later this year. ADOT’s mission is to evaluate and implement modes of transportation to provide a well-balanced, flexible transportation system that moves people and commerce throughout Arizona.

PHOENIX – As part of an improvement project to realign State Route 89A/Beulah Boulevard near Fort Tuthill County Park just south of Flagstaff, the Arizona Department of Transportation will temporarily restrict access along a portion of the highway between the north park entrance and Purple Sage Trail, beginning on Monday, Oct. 27 at 6 a.m. and ending Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m.

During the full closure, SR 89A/Beulah Boulevard northbound traffic may exit onto Interstate 17 from JW Powell Boulevard and take Exit 339 (Lake Mary Road) to return to Beulah Boulevard. For southbound travel, traffic may take McConnell Drive to Milton Road/I-17, and travel to Exit 337 at JW Powell Boulevard to connect to SR 89A.

During construction, traffic may still enter and exit the park at Fort Tuthill Loop and also at Purple Sage Trail.

The full closure will allow crews to build a new roadway transition from the existing SR 89A/Beulah Boulevard alignment to the new roadway intersection being built at JW Powell Boulevard.

The $6.2 million improvement project, which began in May, will realign State Route 89A/Beulah Boulevard in the vicinity of Fort Tuthill County Park and construct two roundabouts, one at the entrance of the park and the other at the I-17 southbound ramps, to provide a safer transition for traffic through the intersections.

PHOENIX — The Slide Fire has been extinguished, but the threat of flash floods, mudslides and rock slides is real in the Oak Creek Canyon area. Just in the last week, the Arizona Department of Transportation has been forced to temporarily close a portion of State Route 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff on three occasions due to flooding and debris flowing along the burn area near the highway.

Large-scale wildfires can dramatically alter the vegetation and soil conditions, which increase the risk of flooding from monsoon rains through the burn and downstream areas. Fire debris, mud and silt clog streambeds and drainage culverts, thereby increasing the likelihood of flood damage.

Following the wildfires within Coconino National Forest, ADOT has been preparing to combat potential flooding issues along SR 89A north of Sedona. While ADOT has no plans to close SR 89A for the entirety of the monsoon season, there is the possibility that the highway could be closed periodically due to flash floods and other risks, particularly during heavy rains.

In an effort to minimize the impact of post-Slide Fire risks, ADOT has initiated several flood-damage mitigation measures recently, including staging heavy equipment, including road graders, in the Oak Creek Canyon area and positioning staff in the canyon during adverse weather conditions.

Before, during and after the most recent monsoon storms during the Fourth of July weekend, ADOT crews have been clearing accumulated debris from drainage culverts and roadside ditches. Additional post-fire maintenance includes repairing roadway embankments along burned out slopes within ADOT’s right of way in an effort to restore the vegetation.

Maintenance crews have also replaced burnt erosion control features such as logs, rock dams and “wattles,” which are straw-filled canvas tubes that help keep the soil and debris off highways, in preparation for potential floods.

ADOT, which is responsible for maintaining areas within the highway right of way, is working in coordination with the other governmental jurisdictions, agencies and private property owners whose responsibility includes restoration and flood-prevention work on the damaged watershed.

When the National Weather Service forecasts potential thunderstorms in the canyon, ADOT works closely with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Sedona Fire and Police Department, U.S. Forest Service, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety to set up informational checkpoints along SR 89A near Slide Rock State Park and Vista Point overlook to warn motorists about the potential flood risks and distribute flood hazard safety pamphlets. More than 4,500 pamphlets were distributed during the Fourth of July weekend.

“ADOT is partnering with DPS, U.S. Forest Service, Coconino County, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, city of Sedona, Sedona Fire Department, Sedona Police Department, and Yavapai County to ensure the safety of the traveling public in the Oak Creek Canyon area,” said Flagstaff District Engineer Audra Merrick, and reminds travelers, “Oak Creek Canyon is a beautiful place to visit, particularly in the summer, but drivers need to use caution and be prepared for what could happen.

“Drivers need to be alert for changing weather conditions, be tuned to weather reports and be aware of the risks, which could include flowing debris, flash floods, mudslides and rockslides.”

ADOT is warning motorists traveling between Sedona and Flagstaff to be aware that changing weather conditions could create hazardous driving conditions in matter of minutes. Every motorist should be aware of the following monsoon safety driving tips:

• Don’t risk crossing a flooded wash, even if it doesn’t look deep. Water is a powerful force that should not be underestimated.
• Do not drive around “Road Closed” signs. You risk your life and face being cited under the state’s “Stupid Motorist” law.
• If traffic lights are out, treat an intersection just like a four-way stop.
• Expect the unexpected. Have extra supplies, including an emergency kit and drinking water, in case you experience an extended highway closure.
• Storm runoff can loosen boulders and rocks on slopes above highways. Stay alert in rockfall-prone areas.

Additional information on post-wildfire recovery and mitigation can be obtained through the Arizona Division of Emergency Management at www.azein.gov.

For the most current information about highway closures and restrictions statewide, visit ADOT’s Travel Information Site at az511.gov, follow us on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 5-1-1.