Tag Archives: Ash Fork

Bad news for lunar eclipse observers

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tsra60Another thunderstorm has moved into northern Arizona which may interfere with the viewing of the lunar eclipse in the early morning hours of Wednesday.

From Flagstaff through Williams to Prescott there is a prediction of thunderstorms from 40% to 70% over the viewing area. Even if the rain is light, the clouds will certain pose a threat to the viewing of the celestial event.

The clouds were heavy during the September “Supermoon,” but the moon did peek out making for good photographs. That may be the case for the upcoming lunar eclipse.

ADOT issues report and asks for comments on Hell Canyon Bridge

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Hell Canyon Bridge is a steel three-span cantilevered Pratt deck truss with riveted connections. It has a total length of 585’ - 6”, and a width of 35’ - 4”, with a 30’ - wide roadway. - ADOT photo

Hell Canyon Bridge is a steel three-span cantilevered Pratt deck truss with riveted connections. It has a total length of 585’ – 6”, and a width of 35’ – 4”, with a 30’ – wide roadway. – ADOT photo

hell-canyon-bridge-01The Arizona Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have completed a Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation and Approval for FHWA Projects that Necessitate the Use of Historic Bridges report for the Hell Canyon Bridge project located on State Route 89 at milepost 345.70, Yavapai County 18-miles north of Chino Valley and south of Ash Fork, Arizona.

The report states that the bridge no longer meets minimum FHWA standards. The bridge across Hell Canyon, “…is structurally deficient and is functionally obsolete which rehabilitation cannot address.” Cited examples include the bridge not being wide enough and the inability to handle heavy loads. The bridge also qualifies to be placed in the Arizona Historic Bridge Inventory. That will have to be sorted out before the bridge can be destructed.

The report explains three options used to determine the best course of action: Do nothing, build on new location without using the current bridge or restoration preserving historic status. The first was rejected because it does not bring the bridge up to FHWA standards. The third would still require some reconstruction to widen the bridge and replace the superstructure which would eliminate the historic integrity.

The favored plan is to build a new bridge alongside of the old one and destroy the old bridge. The reason given for destroying the old bridge is that neither ADOT nor Prescott National Forest intends to build a rest stop in the area. In addition there are no bicycle or pedestrian trails in the project area which could utilize the old bridge. The rest area/overlook of Hell Canyon has been closed for several years.

Hell Canyon Bridge will be removed and replaced with a new bridge as part of this project, thus causing impact to a Section 4(f) property. A 103-page pdf of the Section 4(f) report as well as other project information are available at the ADOT web site.

Please send these comments September 8, 2014. Comments can be sent directly to the project team via phone at 602.458.7478, via e-mail at ddunn@aztec.us, and via mail at 4561 E. McDowell Rd, Phoenix AZ 85008.

Bridge rehabilitation project on I-40 near Ash Fork is underway

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ASH FORK – Motorists traveling along Interstate 40 near Ash Fork should be prepared for lane restrictions now through early October for a bridge rehabilitation project.

The work includes rehabilitating 10 bridge decks between the West Ash Fork traffic interchange and the East Ash Fork traffic interchange, which is between mileposts 143 and 148). This week crews have begun installing temporary traffic control barriers. The crew is also installing detour crossovers prior to working on the eastbound bridges.

Working hours are Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays 7 a.m. to noon. One lane will remain open in each direction, the speed limit will be reduced and drivers should be alert for construction vehicles and flaggers. A 12-ft. width restriction is also in place.

This fall crews are scheduled to be completed with work on the eastbound bridges. The $5 million project will then go in to a winter shutdown until spring 2015, and then warmer weather will allow for work to continue on the westbound bridges.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule.

Fun Run blasts from the past hits Williams, Flagstaff

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Williams resident Bob Sarkesian displays his 1930 Model "A" next to a red 1929

Williams resident Bob Sarkesian displays his 1930 model A next to a red 1929

NORTHERN ARIZONA – The horrendous winds we have been experience stopped as the classic cars of the Route 66 Fun Run rolled into town. Each May classic car owners join together for a run down Route 66 to end up in the town of Topock, Arizona.

The Fun Run is sponsored by the Route 66 Association of Arizona which started the run seven-years after Williams became the last Route 66 town bypassed by I-40. They are dedicated to preserving the memory of the Will Rogers Highway which has come to be known as “The Mother Road.” The road has sparked the imagination through movies such as The Grapes of Wrath and Easy Rider—and more recently the hit animated feature Cars. The long-running television series Route 66 staring Martin Milner and George Maharis concerned two men traveling in a Corvette looking for various job opportunities. Though much of the series was not filmed on Route 66.

Richard from Scottsdale stands with his 1957 Chevy Pickup.

Richard from Scottsdale stands with his 1957 Chevy Pickup.

The Run travels through Holbrook to Flagstaff, through Williams and Ash Fork down through Seligman. They stop at Kingman for a 10 am car show tomorrow. The Run ends just short of crossing the Pipeline Bridge into California at the town of Topock, Arizona. Arizona boasts the longest remaining contiguous stretch of Route 66 and these cars travel the entire distance.

Richard, from Scottsdale, drove his 1957 Chevy pickup with a group of hot rods. While the others stayed in Flagstaff, Richard and his wife decided on Williams where they enjoy the dining fare at Rod’s Steakhouse on Route 66.
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Interstate 40 paving between Ash Fork and Williams to continue

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Winter construction shutdowns have lifted, enabling crews to continue paving work on Interstate 40 between Williams and Ash Fork (mileposts 146 to 162) starting Monday, April 28.

Over the next eight weeks drivers can expect a single lane restriction on I-40 in each direction during work hours, which are between 1 a.m. and 8p.m. Monday through Friday.

The work is part of a 16-mile repaving project on I-40 between Williams and Ash Fork. The work also includes new pavement, guardrail replacement, pavement markings and some bridge work.

The project is scheduled to be completed in summer 2014.

Visitors and residents should remember that speeding through a construction zone increases the fines. Arizona also has a “move over” law requiring all vehicles to move over for any vehicle with flashing lights if you can do so safely.

Men suspected of being white supremacists plead not guilty to weapons, drug charges in Arizona

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PHOENIX – Two members of a notorious family that authorities say once tried to set up a whites-only nation in America have pleaded not guilty to weapons and drug charges in Arizona.

Kirby Kehoe and his 37-year-old son, Cheyne, were arrested last month after authorities raided Kirby Kehoe’s 40-acre property near Ash Fork, Ariz., and seized dozens of guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Both men have previous felony convictions and are banned from possessing firearms. They were arraigned Wednesday on multiple charges, including illegally possessing firearms and body armor and intent to distribute marijuana. Trial is set for Jan. 7 in Prescott.

Cheyne Kehoe’s attorney has said his client used a rifle found at his father’s home for target practice and that he has disavowed white supremacy. Kirby Kehoe’s public defender hasn’t returned telephone messages.

FOX News

Last chance to sign up for little league this weekend

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WILLIAMS—The last chance to sign up for Williams Junior and Major League baseball and try out for the teams is this Saturday, April 6th at the little league field. The $45 fee and an acceptable proof of age is required at the time of registration. Ages for the various league divisions are T-Ball 4-6, Minor League 7-8, Major League 9-12 and Junior League 13-14.

Practices will start in May and the games run from May to early July. Volunteers for coaching, umpiring, score keeping and other positions are also open.

The league is comprised of teams from Ash Fork, Grand Canyon, Parks and Seligman in addition to the City of Williams. The games are played in the surrounding communities so travel is required.

For more information, Contact Luci Felton at 928-266-2470 or via email at williamslittleleague@gmail.com.