The long-term fix for US 89 will involve cutting back the mountain slope, building a gravity buttress wall for support and constructing the new road. But before crews can begin on all that, there’s a lot that has to get done.

Environmental work is one of the first tasks at hand and, as you can see in the video above, ADOT is coordinating with a number of agencies to make sure this project will have as little impact as possible on any nearby waterways.

“We had ADOT, the Army Corps of Engineers, ADOT’s consultants and the Navajo EPA water quality folks,” says ADOT Water Quality Analyst Julia Manfredi in the video. “What we are looking for is areas that would be considered Waters of the U.S. by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, so what we have to do is identify where the Waters of the U.S. are, so that we can tell if this project is going to cause a discharge of dredge or fill material to those Waters of the U.S. and if it is going to, then we will have to permit that through the Army Corps of Engineers and also through the Navajo Environmental Protection Agency.”

By the way, Waters of the United States basically refers to any interstate waters or wetlands (you can read a good, detailed definition on the Environmental Protection Agency’s website).

In the case of the US 89 project, washes on the site that lead to the Colorado River are the focus.

401 and 404

The permits referred to in the video have to do with the Clean Water Act (specifically sections 401 and 404).

Section 404 of the Clean Water Act outlines the regulation of any dredged and fill material that gets discharged into the waters of the United States. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for 404 permitting.

Projects that require a 404 permit, must also apply for a 401 certification from a local jurisdiction (for US 89, it’s the Navajo Environmental Protection Agency). While 404 permits deal more with hydrological connections to interstate waters, a 401 certification focuses on water quality and ensure that the project plan complies with local discharge rules.

More environmental work
As we stated earlier, there’s a lot more to be done before construction can begin. So, stay tuned … we’ll keep you posted on what’s next, including archaeological and biological surveys of the site.

It was just about three months ago that construction got started on Temporary US 89 (aka US 89T) and from the onset, crews really have had their work cut out for them.

Back in June, it was estimated that about 300,000 cubic yards of dirt would need to be moved on the project even before the gravel and asphalt could be placed. Then there was the paving – 27 miles worth to be exact.

But grading and paving are only part of the project. Prior to opening any new state highway, proper signage, striping, right-of-way fencing and other safety measures are necessary to ensure a safe roadway. US 89T also requires cattle guards, swing gates and centerline rumble strips.

So, back to that fencing…

Crews are still actively working to complete some remaining construction items on US 89T, including fencing.

US 89T is located on a rural, open range area on the Navajo Nation, which has a large amount of livestock. Fencing is a critical part of this project because it is designed to prevent livestock from crossing onto the highway, which is a major safety concern (see the photos above for just a glimpse of what we’re talking about).

What all of this mean for drivers
ADOT is set to open the newly paved US 89T tomorrow, Aug. 29, albeit with some restrictions.

Until construction and fencing is completed, the roadway will be open only during daylight hours (except for local residents) and there will be a 25 mph speed limit.

ADOT reminds drivers that while the US 89T has been improved, motorists need to slow down and pay attention to their surroundings. Drivers should be aware that this roadway is prone to animal crossings.

To help reduce delays, detour signage will remain on the previously established primary detour route (US 160 to State Route 98) until US 89T is completed. This established detour may be a quicker route while construction continues on US 89T because of the 25 mph speed limit.

When construction is finished, the speed limit will be raised and nighttime restrictions will be lifted.

We know many of you are eager for construction on N20 to finish and we want to let you know that we hear you and understand just how ready you are for this roadway to open!

While work on the route isn’t done yet, we hope you can be patient for a little bit longer and know that ADOT is taking ALL the steps necessary to ensure that N20 (also known as US 89T) is a safe roadway that motorists will be able to use for years to come.

There are a number of things that must be completed before ADOT can open the road to traffic.

Paving is only one part of the project – prior to opening any new state highway, proper signage, right-of-way fencing and other safety measures are necessary to ensure a safe roadway. N20 also needs cattle guards, swing gates and centerline rumble strips (as you can see in the video above, the large number of animals in the area means fencing is vital on this project. Crews are working now to install fencing along the route to keep livestock off the road).

The good news is that ADOT is still on track to complete the project prior to the Labor Day holiday weekend.

For now, we want to reiterate that N20 is still closed and is an active construction zone, particularly in these last couple of weeks as crews put the finishing touches on the project.

Last week, we all got a look at the long-term fix being proposed to repair the landslide-damaged stretch of US 89 – it’ll involve cutting back the mountain slope and constructing a gravity buttress wall. The repairs, at an estimated cost of $40 million, could take more than two years to complete.

Some of you might be wondering why ADOT has put forth this particular solution and more of you may be questioning how it’s going to possibly take that long to fix.

Well, we have the answers for you today. In the video above, ADOT’s Deputy State Engineer Steve Boschen describes why it was determined that this option is the most feasible. He also talks about the schedule.

Basically, the proposed solution was chosen because, when work is complete, the slope will be stabilized and the roadway will be moved away from the most recent landslide. As for the timeline, environmental work and right-of-way acquisition are expected to take quite a bit of time.

Last week, when we shared with you the long-term repair solution that has been proposed for US 89, we explained how experts studied the area for months and put together a comprehensive report that includes a major amount of geological data (seriously, the report is 463 pages).

Completing that geotechnical investigation has been a VERY crucial step toward eventually being able to restore the route, but we cannot forget to mention an equally important effort that has nothing to do with mapping, subsurface exploration, lab tests or slope stability analysis.

Community Outreach

Since the landslide occurred and forced the closure of a 23-mile-long stretch of US 89 just south of Page, ADOT has been working with residents, businesses and community leaders. The goal is not only to learn how the closure affects drivers in the area, but also to find ways to lessen those impacts.

“Our role is getting out there and getting engaged with the citizens,” says ADOT Assistant Communications Director Brock Barnhart in the video above. “We had to look at the business community, we had to look at the tourism side of it and then we also had to look at the Navajo Nation. We had meetings directly with the communities through Chapter House meetings.”

The communication outreach continues and it’s definitely not a one-way effort. ADOT wants to hear from you…

ADOT has office hours within Page City Hall, allowing members of the public to drop in, ask questions and get the details they need.

There is a project hotline (855-712-8530) and of course, you can always reach out to us through Twitter, Facebook and the blog comments. We’ll work hard to keep you updated and we’re here to listen to your comments and concerns.

The geotechnical investigation on US 89 (you know – that one we’ve been blogging about since February) is complete and we’re thrilled to share news of the results…

Based on a comprehensive study of the area (one that has included geologic mapping, subsurface exploration and monitoring, laboratory tests and slope stability analyses), a proposed long-term solution to repair the damaged highway near Page has been identified. It will involve cutting back the mountain slope and constructing a gravity buttress wall. The repairs, at an estimated cost of $40 million, could take more than two years to complete.

The geotechnical report

If you’ve been following along on the blog, you already know that just about immediately after the landslide occurred, ADOT began assembling a team of geotechnical experts to examine the stability of the mountain slope and searching for options available to reopen the roadway. That months-long investigation produced a 463-page report that concludes the recent landslide was a reactivation of a small portion of an ancient landslide, but little to no new movement has occurred since testing began.

The report also lists several alternatives for the ultimate repair of US 89, but the construction of a landslide buttress and upslope lane adjustment was considered the most geotechnically feasible preferred alternative.

The buttress, a wall-like support structure composed of rock, would be built at the base of the slope and the highway travel lanes would be moved farther to the east by creating a new cut into the existing slope in the Echo Cliffs (see graphic above). In addition to the buttress, the report reviewed several other alternatives.

Moving forward

At a later date, ADOT will formally request additional federal aid to fund the repair of US 89 through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief program, which reimburses state and local jurisdictions for the repair or reconstruction of highways, roads and bridges damaged in natural disasters and catastrophic failures.

ADOT has also worked with the Navajo Nation, Navajo Division of Transportation, Bureau of Indian Affairs and FHWA to restore mobility to the area as soon as possible by paving Navajo Route 20, a 44-mile-long route, which (ADOT identifies long-term US 89 repair solution once paved) will significantly reduce travel time for motorists heading to and from Page and the Lake Powell area. Construction on N20 started in late May and is scheduled to be complete in August.

Yes, paving on N20 has begun, but drivers shouldn’t plan on using the route as a detour until construction is completed later this summer.

In fact, right now (unless you live in the area), you are NOT permitted to use the road because of the conditions … several vehicles have become stuck in the sand and there is limited cell phone coverage in the area.

More about the project

Crews started on the N20 paving project late last month. Since that time, work has focused on clearing debris and brush off the roadway, grading and installing water lines in preparation for paving work.

Once the paving project is finished, travel time for motorists heading to and from Page and the Lake Powell area will be significantly reduced (we’re just as eager for this as you are!).

Currently, the primary detour is to take US 160 to SR 98, which is about 45 miles longer than the direct route. The new detour route (N20) will shave half the distance and time to get to Page.