Plan for lane restrictions on US 89A near Fredonia starting August 1

FREDONIA – The Arizona Department of Transportation is advising motorists to plan for daytime lane restrictions on US 89A between Bitter Springs and Fredonia starting on Monday, August 1, as work begins on a paving project. The work is expected to extend into early September.

Drivers should slow down, proceed through the work zone with caution and watch for construction personnel and equipment while the following restrictions are in place daily from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 6 a.m. to noon Fridays:

  • US 89A will be narrowed to one lane only with alternating north- and southbound travel, in two-mile segments, from milepost 579 – 594.
  • Drivers should be prepared to stop near the work zone.
  • Flaggers and a pilot car will direct motorists through the work zone.
  • A vehicle width limit of 14 feet will be in place.
  • The speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph.

Overnight lane restrictions on State Route 89A (Milton Road) in Flagstaff July 31-Aug. 5

FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation is advising motorists to plan for overnight lane restrictions on State Route 89A (known locally as Milton Road) in Flagstaff during the final stages of work on a pavement rehabilitation project.

Drivers should slow down, proceed through the work zones with caution and watch for construction personnel and equipment while the following restrictions are in place daily from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. starting Sunday night, July 31, and ending Friday morning, Aug. 5:

  • Portions of north- and southbound SR 89A will be narrowed intermittently to one lane in each direction between Forest Meadows Street and Phoenix Avenue.
  • A vehicle width limit of 16 feet will be in place.
  • The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph.


The restrictions are needed as crews continue working on sidewalks, driveways and curb ramps. Crews have completed the most significant work on the project, which was to remove the existing pavement and replace it with new asphalt. For more information, visit the project web page.

Plan for overnight lane restrictions on State Route 89A (Milton Road) in Flagstaff July 10-15

The Arizona Department of Transportation is advising motorists to plan for overnight lane restrictions on State Route 89A (known locally as Milton Road) in Flagstaff during the final stages of work on a pavement rehabilitation project.

Drivers should slow down, proceed through the work zones with caution and watch for construction personnel and equipment while the following restrictions are in place daily from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. starting Sunday night, July 10, and ending Friday morning, July 15:

  • Portions of north- and southbound SR 89A will be narrowed intermittently to one lane in each direction between Forest Meadows Street and Phoenix Avenue.
  • A vehicle width limit of 16 feet will be in place.
  • The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph.

The restrictions are needed as crews continue working on sidewalks, driveways and curb ramps. Crews have completed the most significant work on the project, which was to remove the existing pavement and replace it with new asphalt. For more information, visit the project web page.

Virtual public meeting slated for ADOT Electric Vehicle Plan

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has scheduled a virtual public meeting on Thursday, July 14, to provide information and gather input about the ADOT Electric Vehicle (EV) Plan currently being prepared. The event is scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and can be accessed online or by phone.

The EV plan is being developed in response to funding made available through the recently-approved federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) chargers along alternative fuel corridors. In Arizona, those routes are currently identified as the state’s interstate highways and, if approved, $76 million would be available to begin implementing this project.

To participate:

  • 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 14.
  • Online: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85853613254
  • By phone: +1 669 900 6833
  • Webinar ID: 858 5361 3254
  • For those unable to attend, the meeting will be recorded and posted to the ADOT Electric Vehicle Plan website.
  • There is also a survey to help guide the development of the statewide plan.

English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AZEVPlan

Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AZEVPlanEspanol

For more information: azdot.gov/evplan

Plan for lane restrictions on Interstate 40 at the West Flagstaff Bridge July 8

FLAGSTAFF – Plan for lane restrictions on Interstate 40 at the West Flagstaff Bridge July 8
Drivers should use caution and allow extra travel time

Drivers in northern Arizona should plan for lane restrictions and travel delays on Interstate 40 while construction on the West Flagstaff Bridge replacement project (Exit 191) nears completion.

The following restrictions will occur from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, July 8:

  • East- and westbound I-40 will be reduced to one lane in each direction.
  • The speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph.
  • A 16-foot vehicle width restriction will be in place.

The restrictions are needed for crews to install rumble strips on the recently paved asphalt on the West Flagstaff Bridge Replacement project over Business 40, which connects the interstate to Historic Route 66 in west Flagstaff.

The project, which is about 3 miles west of the junction with Interstate 17, is anticipated to be completed by fall 2022. Learn more on the project web page: azdot.gov/I40WestFlagstaffBridge

Eastern Arizona Counties Organization contributes $25,000 to Range Rider Program

PINETOP – The Eastern Arizona Counties Organization (ECO) has made a contribution of $25,000 to support the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Range Rider Program that is directed by the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team.

Created in 1993, ECO includes Apache, Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee and Navajo counties. The ECO counties have developed a leading role in natural resources and public lands management issues in eastern Arizona, including forest and watershed restoration, travel management and public land access, threatened and endangered species management, rural economic development, and recreation issues.

“The Arizona Game and Fish Department and its conservation partners are grateful to the ECO for their support of the Range Rider Program,” said Jim deVos, AZGFD Mexican wolf coordinator. “One of the key activities the department is engaged in is reducing depredations on livestock in the wolf recovery area. Based on the number of documented depredations since 2019 when the program was initiated, we have seen a decline in depredations which is attributed to the Range Rider Program.”

A range rider is a person who spends time in areas where wolves and cattle are in proximity and chases wolves from the area. It is a way of proactively deterring conflict between wolves and livestock. The range rider will work in much of eastern Arizona and will be directed to areas where high levels of depredations are occurring.

“ECO is pleased to provide this funding to AZGFD,” said Jason Whiting, ECO chair. “Depredations peaked in 2019 when the Range Rider Program was initiated by the department and other cooperators. It is important to note that funding for the Range Rider Program comes from modest county budgets, but the ECO believes that putting what we can into on-the-ground wolf-depredation avoidance is vital to reaching a balance between the ESA goal of recovery and the costs to Arizona ranchers.”

Richard Lunt, ECO vice chair, has been actively involved in wolf depredation prevention management. “Even with an increasing Mexican wolf population since 2019, documented depredations have declined by nearly 40 head of livestock. This represents money well spent by ECO to help promote balance between livestock production and wolf recovery,” he said.

Clay Crowder, the department’s assistant director for wildlife management added, “As the wolf population continues to grow, reducing conflict over depredations is essential and something that the IFT works on daily. This financial assistance from ECO will be put directly on the ground.”

2022 fall hunt draw results available

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has released the draw results for 2022 fall hunts.

Customers must have an AZGFD portal account to view draw results and bonus points. Draw results no longer are made available through an automated phone system.

A free AZGFD portal account (dependent account features are available) can be created by visiting accounts.azgfd.com/Account/Register. A portal account allows customers to create a secure account where they can view and manage their contact information, as well as their licenses, draw results history and bonus points in their personal “My AZGFD Dashboard” section.

For questions about creating a portal account, call the department at 602-942-3000 and press “7.”

By the numbers:

  • 45,666: The total number of hunt permit-tags issued.
  • 191,074: The total number of those who applied for hunts or bonus points.
  • 150,813: The total number of applications submitted.

All hunt permit-tags are expected to be mailed by Aug. 5.

Plan for alternating east- and westbound Interstate 40 ramp closures at A-1 Mountain Road (Exit 190) in Flagstaff June 20 – 21

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for the following alternating east- and westbound Interstate 40 intermittent ramp closures at the A-1 Mountain Road interchange (exit 190) from 6 a.m. through 5 p.m. on Monday, June 20, and Tuesday, June 21, while crews complete final striping work:

Eastbound I-40 on- and off-ramps closure at A-1 Mountain Road (exit 190):

Detour to A-1 Mountain Road: Eastbound I-40 traffic accessing A-1 Mountain Road will be detoured to Exit 191 to turn around and travel west to access A-1 Mountain Road.
Detour from A-1 Mountain Road: Drivers on A-1 Mountain Road who want to travel eastbound on I-40 will first travel west on I-40 to Hughes Avenue (Exit 185- Bellemont) to turn around and proceed eastbound on I-40.

Westbound I-40 on- and off-ramps at A-1 Mountain Road (exit 190):

Detour to A-1 Mountain Road: Westbound I-40 drivers accessing A-1 Mountain Road will be detoured to Hughes Avenue (Exit 185-Bellemont) to turn around and travel east on I-40 to access A-1 Mountain Road.
Detour from A-1 Mountain Road: Drivers on A-1 Mountain Road who want to travel westbound on I-40 will first travel east on I-40 and then take Route 66-Exit 191 to turn around and proceed westbound on I-40.

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

The bridge replacement project is approximately 5 miles west of the junction with Interstate 17 in Flagstaff. For more information, visit https://azdot.gov/i40-A1-Mountain

Enjoy free fishing in Arizona on Saturday, June 4

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) invites anglers to fish Arizona waters for free Saturday, June 4. It’s an ideal time to take the family out for some fun and relaxing outdoor recreation.

Fishing is already a bargain.  Arizona fishing licenses start at just $37 for residents 18 and older. A combination hunt and fish license for youths (10-17) are only $5.  Arizona’s Free Fishing Day is celebrated as part of National Fishing and Boating Week. As an incentive, a fishing license is not required Saturday for persons fishing any public waters in Arizona.

“Whether you’re a seasoned angler who wants to introduce a newcomer to the sport, or someone who’s always been interested but never took that next step, this is the perfect time to get outdoors and experience what fishing in Arizona is all about,” said Julie Carter, aquatic wildlife branch chief.

While a fishing license is not needed Saturday, bag limits and other fishing regulations still apply and must be observed on Free Fishing Day. Children under 10 can fish for free all year long in Arizona, so this special fishing license exemption means that older kids and parents get a free pass for the day, as well.

Not sure how to fish and want to learn? Check out AZGFD’s learn to fish video series. Then, once you’re hooked, remember to purchase a fishing license.

The purchase of a fishing license directly contributes to state conservation programs, including fisheries management, habitat protection and fishing education. A portion of all fishing and boating supplies, as well as license and registration sales, fund the conservation and preservation of our nation’s waterways through a program called the Sport Fish Restoration Program. This means every time an angler purchases a fishing license, fishing tackle, boat supplies, or registers a boat, that person is helping to improve the natural places that he or she cherishes.

Anglers can also share their fishing success stories and photos to the AZGFD FishAZ Facebook group, as well as connect with other anglers around the state.

Plan for Interstate 40 on-ramp closure near Flagstaff May 25

The Arizona Department of Transportation is advising motorists to plan for closure of the on-ramp to westbound Interstate 40 from Business 40 (Route 66) on Wednesday, May 25, as crews perform pavement repairs.

Drivers should be prepared to use Flagstaff Ranch Road to access westbound I-40 during the on-ramp closure from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Flaggers will assist with traffic control.