Daily Archives: July 16, 2018

Interstate 40 and Beulah Boulevard traffic impacts

Posted on by

Flagstaff drivers should prepare for traffic impacts including lane restrictions and full closures while crews continue bridge work at Interstate 40 and Beulah Boulevard. Crews are scheduled to pour a new eastbound I-40 bridge deck over Beulah Boulevard.

One-direction overnight closures of Beulah Boulevard are scheduled for the following times:

Southbound Beulah will be closed from 9 p.m., Friday, July 20, through 1 a.m., Saturday, July 21. The southbound Beulah Boulevard detour route takes drivers north to Forest Meadows Street, east to I-17 and south onto southbound I-17 to the J.W. Powell/I-17 Interchange, then north on Beulah Boulevard.
Northbound Beulah will be closed from 12:01 to 7 a.m., Saturday, July 21. The northbound Beulah Boulevard detour route takes drivers southbound to the J.W. Powell/ I-17 Interchange and then north on I-17 to Forest Meadows Street, then west to Beulah Boulevard.

In addition, the following restrictions are in place:

I-17 is reduced to one lane in both directions through Tuesday, July 17.

Interstate 40 is reduced to one lane in both directions through August.

The northbound I-17 to westbound I-40 ramp remains closed for the duration of the project. Traffic that would normally use this ramp is being detoured onto I-40 eastbound, then exiting at Butler Avenue and heading west on I-40.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

For more information, visit the project website. For questions or comments, call Mackenzie Kirby, ADOT Community Relations project manager at 928.525.6494 or email mkirby@azdot.gov.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or email Projects@azdot.gov. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except when driving.

AZGFD Gets Help in Fight Against Invasive Mussels

Posted on by

Arizona Game and Fish Photo

PHOENIX — The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has allocated more than $4 million to support existing work by western states and tribes to combat the spread of invasive quagga and zebra mussels. Arizona has several quagga mussel-infested waterbodies and will benefit from the increased funding.

The allocation is part of an initiative by Department of Interior Secretary Zinke called, “Safeguarding the West: Actions to Strengthen Federal, State, and Tribal Coordination to Address Invasive Mussels.”

Arizona was among the first western states to have an introduction of the invasive mussels following their 2007 discovery in Lake Mead.

“This money will be a tremendous help to our program,” said Erin Raney, AZGFD Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator. “Containing the spread of invasive mussels is costly, but worthwhile in the long run. We just haven’t had the resources to properly address the issue in Arizona before now.”

Quagga and zebra mussels can cause extensive damage to ecosystems and fisheries, contribute to poor water quality and algae blooms and cost millions of dollars to taxpayers in managing clogged water and power infrastructure when the mussels attach inside of raw water pipes. Many waters in Arizona and a majority of western states still do not have established populations of invasive mussels.

“We want to keep it that way,” Raney said. “These are our last uninfested watersheds in the United States. Impacts to the ecology and economy of the entire region will be huge if these mussels are spread to uninfested waters. We want to be good neighbors and do our part to protect these remaining watersheds, while protecting our boating and recreation opportunities.”

Money allocated to Arizona will be used to support existing and future efforts to increase watercraft inspections and decontamination locations throughout the state and to bolster enforcement efforts. Watercraft inspections and decontaminations reduce the risk of spreading quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species (AIS). Having a seal and receipt documenting a certified inspection can help decrease wait times at inspection locations, and reduce the risk of costly citations or impoundment of watercraft for transporting AIS.

“We are already working with local, state, interstate and federal partners, as well as private industry to build our program and provide more inspection and decontamination opportunities for boaters,” Raney said. “We hope that by expanding services, we will get better compliance. It’s a big job, but with everybody pitching in, we can stop their spread.”

Kaibab National Forest temporarily closes Forest Road 149 near Kendrick Mountain

Posted on by

WILLIAMS – The Kaibab National Forest has implemented a temporary closure of Forest Road 149 near Kendrick Mountain on the Williams Ranger District due to safety concerns related to the active monsoon season.

Forest Road 149, which is located in the far northeastern corner of the Williams Ranger District just east of Pumpkin Center, accesses the Pumpkin Trailhead on Kendrick Mountain. Due to the risk of flooding and the associated public safety concerns, the road has been temporarily closed and will remain so until monsoon conditions subside.

Barricades are installed at the entry to the road. No driving or parking along Forest Road 149 will be allowed until the closure is lifted. While the Pumpkin Trail itself is not closed, forest managers recommend use of either the Kendrick Mountain or Bull Basin trails while the closure of Forest Road 149 is in effect due to the lack of trailhead parking. Visitors to Pumpkin Trail could also find alternative parking along open forest roads and hike into the trail, although this could add significantly to overall hiking distance.

Due to a severe lack of winter moisture, there was very little growth of grasses and plants in the area of the 2017 Boundary Fire on Kendrick Mountain, making for potentially unstable conditions during heavy monsoonal rains. Because of that, there is an increased risk of flooding in the area, with Forest Road 149 being particularly vulnerable.

Besides temporarily closing Forest Road 149, Kaibab National Forest managers also advise visitors to the Kendrick Mountain area to have heightened awareness about potential safety hazards and exercise increased vigilance regarding personal safety, especially during rain events.

“After any fire, there is a need to recognize that the landscape is still stabilizing itself, especially in the immediate post-fire period and during monsoon conditions such as those we are experiencing now,” said Micah Kiesow, soil scientist for the Kaibab National Forest. “While the Kendrick Mountain area and its trails are open to public use except for Forest Road 149, it is still important to understand that hazards can exist. We ask visitors to be aware of their surroundings when recreating in the forest, especially in areas that have been impacted by wildfire in recent years.”

Potential risks in any area recently burned by wildfire include the following:

    storms resulting in flash flooding that could wash out roads, initiate debris flows, and entrap people at flooded stream courses;
  • unsound burned trees (snags) that could fall or shed large limbs;
  • eroded and very rough roads resulting in dangerous driving conditions;
  • unstable terrain with potential for rolling debris (logs, rocks, boulders, etc.);
  • burned out stump holes that could cause injury if stepped in;
  • and, blowing dust on roads and hillsides.

Visitors to the Kendrick Mountain area are advised to follow these outdoor safety best practices:

  1. Know the weather forecast and check it frequently as conditions can change in a very short timeframe.
  2. Let someone outside of the area know exactly where you are and where you will be going daily.
  3. Do not park vehicles or camp in areas with burned snags or where potential flood waters would prevent escape.

    4. Know where you are in relation to drainages.

  4. During windy conditions, remain in open areas that are free of trees (both live and burned) as much as possible.
  5. If an area seems unsafe for any reason, leave.
  6. Have good maps and know where you are at all times.
  7. Keep a well-charged cell phone with you and check it frequently so you know when you’re in an area where there is no coverage.
  8. Understand that there are many areas on public lands that are remote. It can take a very long time before responders can arrive if a rescue is required. The Kendrick Mountain area is very remote.

For more information about the Kaibab National Forest, reference the following sources:

Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF