Category Archives: Flagstaff

Traffic shifts on Historic Route 66 in Flagstaff to begin April 12 through May 14

Posted on by

The Arizona Department of Transportation is advising motorists who use Historic Route 66 (B40) in Flagstaff to expect traffic shifts as crews construct drilling shafts for the Rio De Flag Bridge Replacement project. The work, which is currently underway, is scheduled through Friday, May 14.

Friday, April 2 through Monday, April 12

  • Historic Route 66/ State Route 40B will be opened to normal traffic operation with the exception of intermittent westbound right-lane closures.

The following traffic shift will occur from Monday, April 12, until Friday, April 30:

  • The east- and westbound travel lanes will be reduced to one lane in each direction and shifted to the south side of the roadway.
  • The left-turn lane to northbound US 180 and Sitgreaves Street/Santa Fe Avenue will be closed.

The following traffic shift will occur from Friday, April 30, until Friday, May 14:

  • The east- and westbound travel lanes will be reduced to one lane in each direction and shifted to the north side of the roadway.
  • The left-turn lane to northbound US 180 and Sitgreaves Street/Santa Fe Avenue will be closed.

In addition, the following restrictions will be in place through May 14:

  • The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph between Butler Avenue and Beaver Street.
  • A 12-foot vehicle width restriction will be in place.

During the traffic shift, eastbound Historic Route 66 to northbound US 180 (Humphreys Street) traffic will be detoured to east Butler Avenue to north San Francisco Street to west Columbus Avenue to access north US 180 (Humphreys Street).

Drivers should avoid the area and use alternate routes if possible. If drivers find it necessary to travel through the work zone, proceed with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

Peaks Crag climbing site partially closed to protect peregrine falcons

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino National Forest officials will implement restrictions on climbing and other activities on a portion of the cliff face of an area known as the Peaks Crag beginning March 15 till Aug. 15 in order to protect nesting peregrine falcons.

Similar restrictions have been in effect over the last several years allowing the nesting peregrine falcon pair to successfully fledge 1-3 young each season, while still affording recreational climbing opportunities in the vicinity.

Officials have made slight modifications from the previous years’ Forest Order to provide access from Forest Road 522 (Freidlein Prairie Road) to the climbing area north of the peregrines’ nest site.

The Forest Service, with the help of volunteers, will monitor the effectiveness of the closure and peregrine nesting success to guide future management of the area. The closure could remain in effect until Aug. 15 but based on previous year’s monitoring results may be lifted mid-July once the young have successfully fledged.

It is prohibited to be within the southern portion of the Peaks Crag cliff face for rock climbing or any other activity. The Forest Order and map of the closed area will be posted at the Kachina Trailhead kiosk, the kiosk on Forest Road 522 and Coconino National Forest’s public website under the Forest Orders link.

Peregrine falcons were once listed under the Endangered Species Act. They continue to be managed as Forest Service Sensitive Species and State Species of Concern. This closure affords land managers the opportunity to assess the effectiveness of a partial closure and better determine the appropriate environment needed for peregrines to successfully nest and raise their young.

Large prescribed burn planned near Apache Maid Mt next week

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino National Forest firefighters are planning to take advantage of favorable weather conditions next week and have tentatively planned a large fire treatment on the Red Rock Ranger District, as well as pile burns on the Flagstaff Ranger District.

Prescribed burns are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-dependent ecosystems. These fire treatments mimic natural fires by reducing hazardous fuels accumulations, recycling nutrients, and increasing habitat diversity. Each prescribed burn is designed to meet specific objectives, which includes proactively protecting communities from the threat of extreme wildfires by reducing forest fuels.

Apache Maid Burn (Unit 2)

  • When: Planned for Tuesday-Thursday (March 16-18).
  • Where: Red Rock Ranger District. Approximately 11 miles southeast of Sedona, near Apache Maid Mountain on the east side of Interstate 17. GPS: 34.759884, -111.618201
  • Size: 1,909 acres total (Approx. 1,000 acres per day).
  • Duration: This treatment will be divided into two separate areas over two days, though weather and wind conditions may push the timeframe back further in the week and may extend the duration to several days and possibly to March 21.
    Method/Type of burn: This is a broadcast maintenance burn.
  • Smoke Impacts: Smoke will be noticeable to motorists along I-17 near Stoneman Lake exit and should move toward the northeast during the day, impacting Stoneman Lake Road and the small community of Stoneman Lake. During evening hours, smoke could lightly impact the Rim Rock and Camp Verde communities overnight as it drains down canyons.
  • Closures/Restrictions: No roads or trails will be closed or restricted due to this burn.

Hart Prairie Piles (Unit 16)

  • When: Monday-Tuesday (March 15-16)
  • Where: Flagstaff Ranger District. Approximately 10 miles north, northwest of Flagstaff, near Hart Prairie just off Forest Road 151. GPS: 35.341, -111.738
  • Size: 13 acres
  • Duration: 1-2 days operation.
  • Method/Type of burn: This is a hand ignition maintenance burn.
  • Smoke Impacts: With southwest winds predicted, smoke is predicted to move northeast. Cooling temperatures in the evenings may cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn and may be visible to those in the Flagstaff area, I-17, I-40, and U.S. highways 180 and 89.
  • Closures/Restrictions: No roads or trails will be closed or restricted due to this burn.

Prescribed burns are always dependent upon weather and wind conditions, as well as approval from Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The public can view approved prescribed burns on ADEQ’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov. Coconino National Forest burns begin with the designator “COF.”

Upcoming closure of eastbound ramps on Interstate 40 at West Flagstaff Bridge beginning March 15

Posted on by

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers on Interstate 40 in Flagstaff to plan for closures of the eastbound on- and off-ramps at the West Flagstaff Bridge (Exit 191) beginning Monday, March 15. The closures will be in place through October. ADOT reminds drivers to slow down and observe posted speed limits and other construction signs while the following closures are in place:

Eastbound I-40 on- and off-ramps at the West Flagstaff Bridge (Exit 191) and the crossroad under the bridge will be closed.
DETOUR: Eastbound I-40 drivers accessing I-40 Business Loop/West Route 66 will be detoured to Flagstaff Ranch Road (Exit 192). I-40 Business Loop/West Route 66 drivers accessing eastbound I-40 will be detoured east to A-1 Mountain Road (Exit 190) to turn around and re-enter eastbound I-40.

The closures are needed so crews can begin work to replace the West Flagstaff Bridge over Business 40, which connects the interstate to Historic Route 66 in west Flagstaff. The work consists of removing and replacing the existing east- and westbound bridges’ substructure and superstructure.

The project, which is about 3 miles west of the junction with Interstate 17, is anticipated to be completed by fall 2022.

Pile burns planned this week

Posted on by
CLINTS WELL — Coconino National Forest firefighters are planning to take advantage of favorable weather conditions this week for prescribed pile burn operations, beginning as early as tomorrow on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District.
Windmill Piles
  • When: Wednesday- Friday (2/10-12/21)
  • Where: Mogollon Rim Ranger District. 3 miles north of Clints Well east of Lake Mary Road. GPS: 34.592, -111.311
  • Size: 200 acres (machine piles).
  • Duration: 2-3 days operation, targeting 50 acres per day.
  • Method/Type of burn: Hand ignitions of machine piles.
  • Smoke Impacts: With southwest winds predicted, smoke is predicted to move northeast. Cooling temperatures in the evenings may cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn and will be visible from Lake Mary Road.
  • Closures/Restrictions: None.
Blue Ridge Piles
  • When: Thursday (2/11/21)
  • Where: Mogollon Rim Ranger District. 1 mile east of Blue Ridge Ranger Station on Forest Road 95. GPS: 34.609, -111.170
  • Size: 5 acres (hand piles).
  • Duration: 1 day operation.
  • Method/Type of burn: Hand ignitions of piles.
  • Smoke Impacts: With southwest winds predicted, smoke is predicted to move northeast. Cooling temperatures in the evenings may cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn and may be visible from State Highway 87.
  • Closures/Restrictions: None.
Prescribed burns are always dependent upon weather and wind conditions, as well as approval from Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The public can view approved prescribed burns on ADEQ’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov. Coconino National Forest burns begin with the designator “COF.”
Notifications of upcoming prescribed burns are provided regularly by news releases throughout the season and also by the following online resources:

ADOT testing smart work zone along I-40 to make work zones safer for everyone

Posted on by

PHOENIX – In order to increase safety and mobility in highway work zones, the Arizona Department of Transportation is studying a “smart work zone” at an existing I-40 bridge project located between Flagstaff and Winslow.

A smart work zone is a traffic management system that can be controlled remotely through computer networks, portable message boards and sensor technology to provide motorists with real-time traffic information as they approach construction work zones. This project utilizes a dynamic merge system, which is a specific type of smart work zone.

The dynamic merge system is designed to mitigate the potential hazards of lane closures by altering the time to merge based on the current level of traffic. When traffic is light, electronic signs placed well ahead of the work zone encourage drivers to merge into the open lane prior to the lane closure. When traffic is heavy, the system will encourage drivers to remain in the closed lane for as long as possible in what is known as a zipper merge.

ADOT has been utilizing the zipper merge on various projects since 2016. The zipper merge works by having drivers remain in their lanes and merge just before the lane closure begins. It’s a more efficient way of moving heavy traffic through a work zone where a lane is closed.

In order to study the potential impact a dynamic merge system can have on safety and mobility in a highway construction work zone, ADOT picked an existing bridge deck rehabilitation project on I-40 at the Two Guns and Meteor Crater bridges as a test site.

ADOT set up a dynamic merge smart work zone in the westbound direction and a traditional work zone in the eastbound direction in order to compare the effectiveness of a dynamic merge system.

Drivers passing through the work zone toward Flagstaff from Winslow should follow instructions on when to merge through electronic message signs.

Crash data and speed data will be gathered from the smart work zone and traditional work zone and used to evaluate the impact and inform decisions on future highway projects.

ADOT used something similar during a recent project to rehabilitate three I-15 bridges in the Virgin River Gorge. The queue warning system, as it was called, included portable message boards informing drivers of stop-and-go traffic ahead. That system, like this one on I-40, used equipment that detected traffic in real-time in an effort to help reduce collisions and improve safety and mobility.

Coconino County Congratulates Supervisor Liz Archuleta On Appointment by the Biden-Harris Administration

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County congratulates District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta for her appointment with the Biden-Harris Administration.

“I am very honored to take this next step in public service. Serving the people of Coconino County has been a treasure. As I leave the Board of Supervisors, my heart will always remain with the community I call home and which has been so good to me,” said Supervisor Archuleta.

Under Supervisor Archuleta’s leadership, the County has advanced the cause of diversity and equity with the creation of the County’s Diversity Councils. The Supervisor spearheaded the effort to create the Colorado Plateau Water Advisory Council to protect and guard our most precious resource. During the Schultz Fire and Flood, the County, with Supervisor Archuleta in the forefront, demonstrated resilience as our leaders and residents learned from and rebuilt after the Schultz Fire and subsequent catastrophic flooding and applied those important lessons to the Museum Flood Mitigation efforts. Most recently, Supervisor Archuleta served as Chair of the Board during a period of unprecedented challenges given the impacts of COVID-19. Supervisor Archuleta again provided strong leadership during this emergency, which has resulted in the County being a leader once again within Arizona.

Supervisor Archuleta held significant leadership roles in the community serving as Chair of United Way of Northern Arizona and Flagstaff Symphony, she served on the Boards of Flagstaff Leadership Program, YMCA, and Arizona Cactus Pine Girl Scout Council, and as Trustee of the Nature Conservancy. As a community organizer she helped establish the Sunnyside, Southside and Plaza Vieja Neighborhood Associations. Her leadership was recognized by many, including as an Arizona Latina Trail Blazer, The Athena Award, and the Diversity Leaders Award from Diversity Leadership Alliance.

Supervisor Archuleta has served 24 years as a member of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors with numerous leadership positions on the County Supervisors Association of Arizona, the Arizona Association of Counties, the National Association of Counties, and the National Association of Latino Elected Officials.

Chairman Matt Ryan expressed the County’s congratulations and gratitude to Supervisor Archuleta. “Coconino County has made tremendous progress over the last 24 years because of Supervisor Archuleta’s leadership and passion for public service. She has served as Chair during our most difficult times, including the current pandemic. We will miss our colleague and friend, but we are happy for her transition to a new level of public service. We know Liz will bring her energy, innovation, and steadfast commitment to public service to the federal government. On behalf of all of Coconino County we thank you Supervisor Archuleta, for your tremendous commitment and dedication to serving our County,” expressed Chairman Ryan.

“Twenty-four years ago, I was called to serve my community as the first Latina to be a member of the Board of Supervisors. Little did I know, as I took that step into public service that it would be such an incredible journey, an opportunity of a lifetime. It is with sorrow and pride that I resign from my position. My heart is full of gratitude for the people who embraced me over the years. Each person who let me into their homes and hearts, who shared their struggles and aspirations enriched my life. I thank you. I thank you for entrusting me as your representative. I will carry that trust, the stories, the dreams with me to Washington D.C. to continue my public service” stated Supervisor Archuleta.

Supervisor Archuleta will resign from the Board of Supervisors this evening. Under Arizona law, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors will appoint a replacement for the District 2 Supervisor seat. Supervisor Archuleta will be invited to the County Board in the future for an opportunity for residents to express thanks and recognize her service to the County. Personal messages of congratulations can be emailed to tmunoz@coconino.az.gov.

Coconino County appoints Cheryl Mango-Paget as Superintendent of Schools

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors has appointed Cheryl Mango-Paget as Coconino County Superintendent of Schools effective immediately. Mango-Paget has served as the Associate Superintendent for Coconino County since 2012, holds a certificate to teach in schools in the state of Arizona, and holds Arizona administrator and superintendent certifications.

Mango-Paget has classroom experience as a teacher and administrator, and expertise and passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education (STEM).

“I’m honored to serve Coconino County as the Superintendent of Schools,” said Mango-Paget. “Education is my passion and I look forward to continuing to improve the educational outcomes for our students and training for our teachers. Our future is built on the success we have educating the children and young adults of our county.”

“Coconino County’s educational mission will be well-served by Superintendent Mango-Paget. The Superintendent’s knowledge and
experience, and her passion for serving our children and community are evident. In light of the challenges facing Coconino County due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the board recognizes the need for leadership and continuity in the Office of the Superintendent. We are grateful to have a leader such as Superintendent Mango-Paget to guide this team into a bright future. The Board of Supervisors looks forward to working together with the Superintendent to continue the long history of excellence in education and supporting teachers in our county,”
commented Chairman Matt Ryan.

Mango-Paget earned both a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Education from Indiana University. Mango-Paget will serve through December 31, 2022.

Coconino County’s Detention Services Commander Matthew Figueroa receives Appointment to AZPOST

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF — Congratulations to Commander Matthew Figueroa who has been appointed by Governor Ducey to the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST).

AZPOST is composed of 13 members and stands to foster public trust and confidence by establishing and maintaining standards of integrity, competence, and professionalism for Arizona peace officers and correctional officers.

AZPOST was established in 1968 to address the need for minimum peace officer selection, recruitment, retention and training standards, and to provide curriculum and standards for all certified law enforcement training facilities.

Commander Matthew Figueroa has served as Detention Services Commander of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office since 2014. In his current role as Detention Commander, he provides administrative leadership, supervision, training and direction, and assignment of duties to over 150 detention personnel and supervisors in the daily operations of a 596-bed facility.

Commander Figueroa also served as associate faculty with Coconino County Community College instructing students in the areas of Administrative Justice. He has served in detention since 1996 as a detention officer, and recently received the JAILCON 20/20 Detention Administrator of the Year award.

Sheriff Jim Driscoll is proud to have representation from his Command Staff on the AZPOST Board and grateful to Governor Ducey for recognizing Commander Matthew Figueroa for this prestigious
appointment.

This, too, shall pass

Posted on by

For those who do not think it snows in Arizona, you may be in for a surprise when you visit northern Arizona. Do not drive like you do at home.

WILLIAMS — This storm is passing. The prediction is about 3 more inches through the day and into the early evening. Tomorrow mostly sunny and partly sunny Thursday. A high of 37 Wednesday and 45 Thursday. It is expected to be bitterly cold tonight and Wednesday night. Possibly as low as 3-degrees. Williams received 20″ of snow with Flagstaff achieving 21″.

The Winter Weather Warning from the Weather Service ended as of 2 p.m. today.

Another storm will come through Friday and Saturday, but is expected to leave less than one inch of snow.

This storm did not significantly impact the infrastructure as did the storm of November 2019. There were reports of some spotty power outages and some Internet failures. The power and phones, however, did remain active for the most part. There was a lot of trouble with slide-offs and accidents along the I-40 and I-17. And there were those who parked their vehicles in the middle of Railroad avenue and walked off.

Do not park in the middle of the road during snow removal.


The current road conditions as of this writing are:
Plan for long backups on sections of I-40 between Kingman and Flagstaff due to the weather.
The following highways are closed due to extreme winter conditions
Interstate 17 northbound is closed between SR 179 and Lake Mary Road (mileposts 299-340)
US 191 from mileposts 225 to 254 (just south of Alpine)
State Route 87 between the Bush Highway and Winslow (mileposts 236-342)
State Route 260 between Star Valley and Heber, and from east of Camp Verde to SR 87
US 60 in both directions from Globe to Show Low
State Route 89A between Sedona and Interstate 17; and from Jerome to Clarkdale
State Route 89 from north of Peeples Valley to just south of Prescott
State Route 288 westbound between SR 188 and YoungState Route 89A between Sedona and Interstate 17; and from Jerome to Clarkdale
State Route 89 from north of Peeples Valley to just south of Prescott
State Route 288 westbound between SR 188 and Young

The Coconino Amateur Radio Emergency service was active just prior to the storm through until 1 p.m. today. The Weather Service held briefings with the Emergency Operation Center and other agencies daily through the storm.

Call 511 or visit az511.gov before you go to check for current road conditions.