Category Archives: State Government

Ramp closures on Interstate 40 in Williams set for next week

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WILLIAMS – Northern Arizona drivers on Interstate 40 west of Flagstaff should plan for travel delays due to construction work between Parks and Williams. Crews have scheduled ramp closures and lane closures while a new layer of asphalt pavement is placed 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.

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for travel delays while these ramp closures are in place:

  • The westbound I-40 on-ramp at Grand Canyon Boulevard (exit 163) will be closed Monday, June 3, through Tuesday, June 11. 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.
  • The westbound I-40 on-ramp at Parks (Exit 178) will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 5. DETOUR: Traffic from Parks accessing westbound I-40 will take eastbound I-40 to Bellemont (Exit 185) and re-enter westbound I-40 toward their destination.
  • The eastbound I-40 on-ramp at Parks (Exit 178) will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 6. DETOUR: Traffic from Parks accessing eastbound I-40 will travel westbound I-40 to Pittman Valley Road (Exit 171) and re-enter eastbound I-40 toward their destination.
  • The westbound I-40 off-ramp at Parks (Exit 178) will also be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 6. DETOUR: Westbound I-40 traffic accessing Parks will continue to Pittman Valley Road (Exit 171) and re-enter eastbound I-40 to Parks.
  • The westbound off-ramp at SR 64 (Exit 165) will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, June 7. DETOUR: Westbound I-40 traffic accessing SR 64 will continue to Grand Canyon Boulevard (Exit 163) and re-enter eastbound I-40 to SR 64.

Plan for SR 89A-Fain Road lane closures beginning Monday, June 3

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The Arizona Department of Transportation advises motorists to plan ahead and allow extra travel time for pavement repair along State Route 89A-Fain Road next week. The work will occur from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, June 3, and Tuesday, June 4, on north- and southbound State Route 89A-Fain Road between the junction with SR 69 (milepost 331) and the junction with SR 89A-Robert Road (milepost 324).

Paving scheduled Monday, June 3, will require the following closures:

  • Northbound Fain Road will be narrowed to one lane (right lane closed)
  • Southbound Fain Road will be narrowed to one lane (left lane closed)

Paving scheduled Tuesday, June 4, will require the following closures:

  • Northbound Fain Road will be narrowed to one lane (left lane closed)
  • Southbound Fain Road will be narrowed to one lane (right lane closed)

The restrictions are necessary so ADOT crews can do fog-seal work, which helps to protect and extend the life of the highway pavement.

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

Daytime lane closures on State Route 89A near Jerome scheduled to begin June 5

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The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for lane closures on north- and southbound State Route 89A between the town of Jerome (milepost 344) and Old Fain Road (milepost 330) while a pavement-repair project is underway. Drivers could experience delays up to 30 minutes while SR 89A is reduced to one lane only.

Work is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, and Thursday, June 6.

Flaggers and a pilot car will direct drivers through the work zone.

The restrictions are necessary so ADOT crews can do fog-seal work, which helps to protect and extend the life of the highway pavement.

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

Apply online now for 2019 fall hunts

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PHOENIX — Attention, procrastinators:

There’s not a better time than right now to apply online for 2019 hunt permit-tags issued through the draw process for deer, fall turkey, fall javelina, bighorn sheep, fall bison and sandhill crane.

All online applications must be received by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) no later than 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, June 11.

To apply online, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw. As a reminder, applicants must possess a valid Arizona hunting license to apply online for a hunt permit-tag. That license must be valid on the last day of the online application period (June 11). Licenses are available online and at department offices and license dealers statewide.

A few helpful hints to keep in mind when filling out an online application:
  • An applicant is not required to have an AZGFD portal account, or be logged into that portal account, to apply online.
  • Be sure to check the three boxes under “Draw Checklist” and acknowledge the security feature on the first page of the draw site before continuing to the application.
  • Customer service representatives are available by phone from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (except holidays).
Applicants will find everything needed to apply for a hunt on the department’s website:
AZGFD encourages applicants to consider adding “PointGuard” when applying online for a hunt permit-tag. PointGuard ensures if a successful applicant is unable to participate in a hunt for any reason, the accumulated bonus points that were expended to draw that hunt permit-tag will be reinstated.
All online applicants must sign up for a free AZGFD portal account to purchase PointGuard (visit https://accounts.azgfd.com/Account/Register). PointGuard is $5 per species, per applicant, purchased at the time of completing the online application or through June 27, which also is the deadline to update credit card or debit card information. For more information about PointGuard, visit https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/pointguard.
AZGFD encourages all hunters to open a free portal account. The portal allows customers to create a secure account where they can manage and view their contact information, as well as their license and draw results history and bonus points, in their personal “My AZGFD Dashboard” section. A portal account is a mobile-friendly, convenient way to access the online license purchase and hunt draw application systems.
For questions about opening a portal account, call the department at (602) 942-3000 and press “7.”

AZGFD to participate in multi-agency OUI checkpoint on Colorado River

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KINGMAN — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) will participate in a multi-agency enforcement patrol May 31-June 2 on the Colorado River, pursuing those who are operating their boats and other watercraft while under the influence (OUI) of drugs or alcohol.

AZGFD, together with the Nevada Department of Wildlife and the National Park Service, will be enforcing Arizona’s OUI legal limit of a .08 blood-alcohol content.

Throughout the weekend, boaters may be required to pass through a checkpoint and be subject to a systematic safety inspection. Operators will be checked for any sign of impairment from alcohol or drugs, and to ensure the required safety equipment, such as proper life jackets and working fire extinguishers, are aboard.

“The responsibility for boating safety among watercraft users is critically important,” said Brandon Carley, law enforcement supervisor for the department’s regional office in Kingman. “The area is growing quickly, and we share these waterways with California and Nevada. It’s becoming very congested, which lends itself to more potential hazards.”

Carley advises boaters and watercraft users should review all regulations prior to launching. That includes having a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for every person on board and making sure that anyone 12 and under is wearing one at all times. Boats also must be equipped with a fire extinguisher and a Type IV throwable personal flotation device (PFD).

For more information on boating in Arizona, or to sign up for a free safety course, visit www.azgfd.gov/boating.

Life jacket exchange events scheduled for area lakes

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PHOENIX — Arizona’s boating season is here and the Arizona Game and Fish Department is helping watergoers prepare for a safe time on the water by offering multiple life jacket exchange events in the coming weeks.

Now in its 11th year, the Life Jacket Exchange program allows people with an old, worn out life jacket to swap it for a new one (while supplies last). Last year, the department’s Boating Safety Education program exchanged 1,520 of the life-saving jackets.

The events run from 10 a.m. to noon on these specific dates:

  • May 25 – Wahweap Marina at Lake Powell
  • May 25 – Parker Canyon Marina
  • May 25 – Patagonia Lake State Park
  • June 1 – Willow Springs Lake
  • June 7 – Antelope Point at Lake Powell
  • June 8 – Big Lake
  • June 15 – Arizona Game and Fish Department Kingman Office
  • June 22 – Show Low Lake

Please note that Type I and Type II life jackets will not be accepted.

Before heading out on the water, it’s important that boaters check to ensure that their life jackets are in good condition and that they are the right size and fit for passengers. When inspecting life jackets, look for any rips or tears, missing straps, broken fasteners, and to ensure that the flotation hasn’t shifted. Life jackets should be inspected each boating season due to the environment’s impact on their materials.

State law requires all passengers 12 years old and younger to wear a life jacket while on board and each passenger must have a properly fitting, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket available.

Wearing a life jacket is the simplest way to ensure an individual’s safety on the water.

Drowning was the reported cause of death in four out of every five recreational boating fatalities in 2017, according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s most readily available statistics. In the 449 water-related deaths that year, 370 people — approximately 84.5 percent — were not wearing a life jacket. Those statistics are reflected in Arizona: There were eleven recreational boating fatalities in the state last year and sadly, we’ve already had our first fatality of 2019 that involved a kayaker that was not wearing a life jacket. These deaths are preventable.

For more information about boating in Arizona or to sign up for a free safety course, visit www.azgfd.gov/boating.

AZGFD seeks to improve road leading to Northern Arizona Shooting Range

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-AZGF Photo

PHOENIX — The Flagstaff Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest is considering a proposal by the Arizona Game and Fish Department to improve, operate and maintain a portion of Forest Service road 128A, which provides access to the Northern Arizona Shooting Range near Flagstaff.

The goal is to improve a half-mile stretch of 128A and provide a simple road structure of adequate strength to support increases to vehicle traffic, while also providing drainage as necessary to prevent unacceptable environmental damage.

The range, which opened in July 2012, has experienced an average of 3,852 user days since 2014. That’s considerably more use than a Maintenance Level 2 road is intended to provide, being that it’s designed for high-clearance vehicles and not for user comfort. In order to provide safer access to the range, the department is requesting the ability to make 128A a Maintenance Level 3 road to be accessible by a standard passenger car.

The public is invited to share comments, concerns or ideas with Jessica Richardson, District NEPA coordinator, at the Flagstaff Ranger District, 5075 N. Highway 89, Flagstaff, AZ, 86004. Richardson can be reached at (928) 527-8219, or email at jessicarichardson@fs.fed.us. Input also can be provided at comments-southwestern-coconino@fs.fed.us. The deadline to submit comments to ensure consideration in the decision process is May 30.

Stay safe on your OHV over Memorial Day

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Buckle up and wear a helmet. Remember to stay on approved roads ONLY.

PHOENIX — As many people are gearing up to spend time outdoors over the Memorial Day weekend, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) reminds everyone planning to ride an off-highway vehicle (OHV) to do so safely and responsibly.

 

Numerous fatal accidents last year involved utility task vehicles (UTVs) that rolled over and pinned the operator underneath. Wearing a seatbelt is critical because it will help keep the operator and any passengers inside the UTV in the event of an accident.

 

If children are a part of the adventure, they must wear a U.S. Department of Transportation-approved helmet. While helmets are required for all operators and passengers under the age of 18, they’re strongly recommended for everyone.

 

In addition, ride safely by following these practices:
  • Only carry the number of passengers recommended by the vehicle’s manufacturer. Many accidents are the result of too many people riding a machine that was designed for fewer passengers.
  • Wear riding goggles, a long-sleeved shirt, pants, riding gloves and over-the-ankle boots.
  • Never ride alone.
  • Be prepared and equipped with a map, first-aid kit and whistle, and have basic tools on hand.
  • Stay on designated trails.
  • Take an OHV safety education course designed to teach off-road motorists how to ride safely and responsibly.
AZGFD officers and partner agencies will be out enforcing rules and regulations to ensure the safety of OHV operators and passengers.

 

Citations and warnings are given for issues like failing to have a current OHV Decal and allowing children under the age of 18 to ride without a helmet. It’s also important to remember that OVHs and alcohol don’t mix — operating any vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is always illegal, regardless of what type of vehicle it is.

For more information about OHV riding in Arizona, including a list of locations to ride throughout the state, visit www.azgfd.gov/OHV.

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.