Daily Archives: November 8, 2015

Lane restrictions scheduled next week as part of statewide project to install digital message boards

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Motorists travelling across the state on Interstate 40 and State Route 260 should prepare for one lane restrictions and intermittent delays, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Work is scheduled to be completed as follows:

  • Crews are scheduled to work on westbound I-40 in Ash Fork (milepost 148) from 5 a.m. to noon on Monday, (Nov. 9). Drivers should expect a lane restriction and delays as traffic will be stopped intermittently to install an overhead sign structure.
  • Crews are also scheduled to work on westbound I -40 in Flagstaff (milepost 197) from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Tuesday, (Nov. 10). Drivers should expect a lane restriction and delays as traffic will be stopped intermittently to install an overhead sign structure.
  • Additionally, crews are scheduled to work on eastbound SR 260 in Show Low (milepost 335) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, (Nov. 12). Drivers should expect a lane restriction and delays as traffic will be stopped intermittently to install an overhead sign structure.

Drivers are advised to merge safely to one lane and be prepared to stop as crews complete overhead sign installation work.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule.

Arizona Highways comes up big in prestigious magazine awards

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11737953_10153070228646852_4089567091217152843_nPHOENIX — Arizona Highways (Facebook) was a big winner in the International Regional Magazine Association awards for 2014. The magazine, produced by the Arizona Department of Transportation, picked up 16 awards, including seven top honors, at a recent ceremony in San Diego.

John Burcham’s “Long Exposure,” a September 2014 portfolio for which Burcham photographed Bismarck Lake near Flagstaff for an entire year, won gold in the Photo Series category. Editor Robert Stieve took home a gold award for that portfolio’s headline, and Burcham won silver in the Photographer of the Year competition.

Other 2014 gold winners were for the magazine’s January cover, which featured a shot from the Vermilion Cliffs; Jack Unruh’s illustration of a jaguar (April); Charles Bowden’s “Counting Sheep” (February), an essay about bighorn reintroductions in the Santa Catalina Mountains; Joel Grimes’ portrait of a rodeo announcer (August); and Matt Jaffe’s “Two Men and a Truck” (November), a travelogue from the Navajo Nation.

Arizona Highways’ 16 total awards were the second-most in the competition, behind only Texas Highways’ 17. The seven golds were tied for the most with Down East: The Magazine of Maine.

In addition, Arizona Highways Publisher Win Holden received the Kenneth L. Gibbs Award for Merit, the association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Arizona Highways captures the essence of this state’s exquisite landscapes and byways while promoting Arizona’s brand around the world,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “While we are proud of the individuals who earned these awards, we’re even more proud of Arizona Highways’ role in this agency’s mission of moving Arizona and its economy forward.”

The International Regional Magazine Association was founded in 1960 to support and promote regional magazines in the United States and elsewhere.

Founded in 1925, Arizona Highways is dedicated to promoting travel to and through the state of Arizona. In addition to the world-renowned magazine known for spectacular landscape photography, Arizona Highways publishes travel guide books, calendars and other products to promote travel in Arizona. The magazine has subscribers in all 50 states and more than 110 countries.

For more information about Arizona Highways please visit arizonahighways.com.

Gold Awards

‒ Nature & Environment: “Counting Sheep,” Charles Bowden, February 2014
‒ Travel Feature: “Two Men and a Truck,” Matt Jaffe, November 2014
‒ Head and Deck: “Long Exposure,” Robert Stieve, September 2014
‒ Photo Series: “Long Exposure,” John Burcham, September 2014
‒ Portrait Photo: Rodeo announcer (The Journal), Joel Grimes, August 2014
‒ Illustration: Jaguar (Spotted in Southern Arizona), Jack Unruh, April 2014
‒ Cover: Vermilion Cliffs, Barbara Glynn Denney, January 2014

Silver Awards

‒ Public Issues: The Verde, Terry Greene Sterling, March 2014
‒ Single Photo: Monument Valley (A Picture’s Worth … Eh, Let’s Skip the Words), Enio Lanaro, April 2014
‒ Magazine Photographer of the Year: John Burcham
‒ Department: The Journal, Arizona Highways Staff
‒ Special Focus: Winter issue, December 2014
‒ Companion Website: Arizona Highways Staff

Awards of Merit

‒ Service Article: “On the Edge,” Robert Stieve, July 2014
‒ Essay: “A Winter’s Walk,” Craig Childs, January 2014
‒ Art Direction of a Single Story: “French Impressions,” Barbara Glynn Denney, Keith Whitney and Jeff Kida, August 2014

US 60 east of Superior to close briefly for blasting operations Nov. 10 and 12

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Motorists traveling along US 60 between Phoenix and Globe next week need to plan ahead or allow extra time as the Arizona Department of Transportation continues blasting work as part of an improvement project to build a new passing lane and widen roadway shoulders east of Superior, approximately 65 miles east of downtown Phoenix.

The construction of the two-mile-long climbing lane from Devil’s Canyon to Oak Flat (mileposts 231-233) will require four separate full closures of US 60 for up to 90 minutes:

> Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
> Thursday, Nov. 12, at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (date corrected from Nov. 11 to Nov. 12)

Traffic on eastbound US 60 will be stopped east of Superior (milepost 227) and westbound US 60 will be stopped at the Top of the World, west of Miami (milepost 235) until the blasting work is completed and the roadway is reopened after all debris is cleared. Law enforcement officers will be stationed at each closure to assist with traffic control.

Approximately 30 minutes prior to each blast, motorists should be prepared for possible delays and lane closures as crews set concrete barrier prior to each scheduled closure.

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 will work to minimize the traffic impacts as much as possible, including scheduling some nighttime work.

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.