The Arizona Department of Transportation will be starting another improvement project on US 60 in the Superior area on Monday Sept. 28. The project will involve removal of loose rock from the embankments around the entrances to the Queen Creek tunnel.

Two other construction projects are currently going on in the Superior area, including the passing lane project at Oak Flat and the Silver King/Superior Streets widening project.

There are currently weekly delays for blasting for the passing lane project, but no major delays for Silver King/Superior Streets project.

Work hours for the Queen Creek tunnel rock removal will be Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should plan for intermittent 20-minute delays during this time as crews remove loose rock from the embankment and clear the road.

Some of these delays will be done during the scheduled closures for the Oak Flat passing lane blasting. (Blasting schedules for the Oak Flat Passing Lane project may be found at azdot.gov/us60oakflat).

Motorists seeking an alternate route can consider state routes 77 and 177, which is approximately 68 miles long. Motorists headed to the White Mountains region, including Show Low and Springerville, can also take State Route 87 through Payson and travel east on State Route 260 as an alternative.

ADOT is working to minimize the traffic impacts as much as possible, including scheduling some nighttime work. The project is scheduled to be completed in three weeks.

There will be narrow traffic lanes, wide-load restrictions and a reduced speed limit through the work zone. Flaggers and pilot cars will be used at different times throughout the project.

Drivers are asked to use caution, watch for construction equipment and personnel, and allow extra time for your commute.