Daily Archives: May 23, 2019

ADOT: No highway closures over Memorial Day weekend

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If you’re planning a road trip in the state over the Memorial Day weekend, the Arizona Department of Transportation has good news about construction-related closures.

ADOT and its contractors will not schedule weekend closures along state-maintained highways, including Phoenix-area freeways, from Friday afternoon through late Monday night, May 27.

Drivers should allow extra time, especially during peak travel periods, and be prepared to slow down and use caution in existing work zones. Focus on safe driving, including buckling up and not speeding.

There were seven fatal crashes with a total of eight deaths on Arizona roadways, including local streets, over last year’s Memorial Day weekend. Two of those fatal crashes were alcohol-related.

ADOT’s highway safety recommendations include:

  • Never drive while impaired – arrange for a designated driver in advance
  • Buckle up and obey speed limits
  • Check your vehicle, including tire pressure
  • Get some rest before traveling – fatigue is a serious safety risk
  • Allow extra travel time and be prepared for unscheduled closures
  • Avoid distractions – don’t text while driving
  • Pack extra supplies, including drinking water and snack foods
  • Don’t park in areas with grasses or brush – hot vehicle components could start a fire

Work on Interstate 40 in Williams rescheduled because of wintry weather

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WILLIAMS – Unseasonably cold weather has temporarily delayed work on Interstate 40 between Parks and Williams in northern Arizona. Crews had been scheduled to complete work at the Grand Canyon Boulevard westbound off-ramp prior to Memorial Day weekend. Because of inclement weather, the work is now scheduled to progress through next week.

The following I-40 ramp closures and detours have been rescheduled so crews can reconstruct the westbound on- and off- ramps at Grand Canyon Boulevard. The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for travel delays while these closures are in place:

  • Crews will keep the westbound I-40 off-ramp at Grand Canyon Boulevard closed through Friday, May 31. DETOUR: Westbound I-40 traffic accessing Williams will exit at Country Club Boulevard (Exit 161) and enter eastbound I-40 to exit at Grand Canyon Boulevard.
  • Crews will close the westbound I-40 on-ramp at Grand Canyon Boulevard from 6 a.m. Monday, June 3, through Monday, June 10, at 6 p.m. DETOUR: Southbound Grand Canyon Boulevard traffic that needs to access westbound I-40 should use eastbound I-40 to State Route 64 (Exit 165) and use the interchange to turn around.

The eastbound and westbound I-40 ramps at Grand Canyon Boulevard will NOT be closed at the same time.

No work is scheduled over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

The project schedule still calls for a new layer of asphalt pavement on 17 miles of east- and westbound I-40 between Parks and Williams this summer. The project also includes a final layer of asphalt, known as friction course, to further improve the roadway surface, and installation of guardrail, striping and signage. The project is scheduled for completion in late 2019.