The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is administering improvements on behalf of the City of Winslow to Transcon Lane between Interstate 40 and the travel plaza (truck stop) beginning Wednesday morning. Construction will occur during daylight hours, Monday through Friday. No weekend or holiday construction is anticipated; however traffic restrictions will be in place continuously until project completion late July, 2016.
Travel through Transcon Lane and access to the travel plaza will be available at all times.
ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, obey posted speed limits and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.
FLAGSTAFF — The $1.4 million Arizona Department of Transportation project began earlier this month. Crews will maintain a single-lane on eastbound I-40 across the bridge through fall of 2016. Westbound I-40 also will utilize one lane intermittently throughout the project while the westbound bridge surface is being improved. Access across the bridge will be maintained at all times, with loads restricted to a 12’ maximum width for the duration of the project.
Crews will generally work weekdays during daylight hours, though occasional night and weekend work may be required.
ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, obey posted speed limits and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.
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. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.
PHOENIX — An innovative new snowplow is allowing the Arizona Department of Transportation to remove snow and ice more efficiently by having one driver clear the width of two lanes.
The first TowPlow to join ADOT’s fleet of 200 traditional snowplows is assigned to 20 miles of Interstate 40 between Williams and Bellemont west of Flagstaff. The device saw its first use during this week’s snowstorm.
The TowPlow is a steerable trailer with a 26-foot blade that’s attached to the back of a regular snowplow truck. The combination, able to plow a 24-foot-wide path, lets ADOT clear more lanes in less time using less fuel.
“It’s been a very busy year for ADOT’s winter operations, and as we work through this latest storm the TowPlow has already been out on the highway plowing snow and ice,” said Dallas Hammit, ADOT’s state engineer and deputy director for transportation. “This new plow is a time-saving and safe addition to the department’s fleet of snowplow trucks and provides a higher level of service to all drivers and travelers.”
When possible, ADOT will run another snowplow truck alongside the TowPlow setup, clearing both lanes and the shoulder at once. To keep vehicles at a safe distance, a flag car will be positioned behind the snowplows traveling side by side.
ADOT will evaluate the TowPlow’s performance this winter before deciding whether to purchase more.
As with any snowplow, drivers need to do their part to stay safe:
Slow down: Stay well behind the safety vehicle that follows the TowPlow.
Don’t try to pass: The flag car and the plows will move over periodically and allow traffic to pass when it is safe to do so.
Remember: The road behind the TowPlow and other snowplows is the safest place to drive. For more tips on preparing for travel in snow country, please visit azdot.gov/knowsnow.
SANDERS — The Arizona Department of Transportation will be installing a new overhead message sign at Sanders Tuesday, February 9. The sign is being installed on I-40 next to the Sanders Port of Entry, milepost 340, which is located in Sanders.
The sign installation is part of a statewide project to install signs on state highways in strategic areas which do not currently have signs. The signs are used to notify motorists of changing road conditions and provide motorists travel advisories.
Crews will close I-40 westbound at the Sanders Port of Entry Tuesday, February 9 from 9 p.m. through Wednesday, February 10 till 4 a.m. During the closure, westbound traffic will be detoured through the port of entry and rerouted back onto I-40.
The speed limit will be reduced and traffic will be directed into one lane through the port of entry. Officers will be present during these restrictions to assist with traffic control.
Drivers are asked to use caution, expect lane closures and watch for construction equipment and personnel.
ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur.
WILLIAMS — High winds began about 9:30 this morning and by 8 a.m., Williams had a covering of about 3″ from the overnight storm. It is not over yet. NOAA predicts snow throughout the day. The sun peeked out for a couple of hours, but clouds began to reappear by about 10:45.
Road conditions are reported to be hazardous. Social media reports that one person had to turn back to Williams at Parks because of white out conditions. Another report is that the plowing between Williams and Ash Fork had not started.
The crews of the City of Williams were out about 8 a.m. clearing the roadways.
Motorists travelling across the state on Interstate 40 and State Route 260 should prepare for one lane restrictions and intermittent delays, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Work is scheduled to be completed as follows:
Crews are scheduled to work on westbound I-40 in Ash Fork (milepost 148) from 5 a.m. to noon on Monday, (Nov. 9). Drivers should expect a lane restriction and delays as traffic will be stopped intermittently to install an overhead sign structure.
Crews are also scheduled to work on westbound I -40 in Flagstaff (milepost 197) from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Tuesday, (Nov. 10). Drivers should expect a lane restriction and delays as traffic will be stopped intermittently to install an overhead sign structure.
Additionally, crews are scheduled to work on eastbound SR 260 in Show Low (milepost 335) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, (Nov. 12). Drivers should expect a lane restriction and delays as traffic will be stopped intermittently to install an overhead sign structure.
Drivers are advised to merge safely to one lane and be prepared to stop as crews complete overhead sign installation work.
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.
The Arizona Department of Transportation is starting on the final phase of paving through Winslow. Crews will be finishing the main portion of paving on both the westbound and eastbound lanes of I-40 this Friday (July 31) at (milepost 250-268).
Monday (Aug. 3) through Friday (Aug. 7) workers will be paving the interchange on and off ramps at Hipkoe Drive, North Park Drive, Transcon Lane and State Route 87. During this time, motorists will need to travel to the adjacent interchange east or west of the one being worked on to exit or enter I-40.
On Monday (Aug. 10), workers will begin to apply the final layer of asphalt over the top of what has already been replaced. This rubberized top layer allows for a quieter and smoother drive for motorists. This portion of the paving operation moves fairly quickly and it’s anticipated that crews will be finished by Friday (Aug. 21).
Crews will start replacing the SR 87 bridge deck, which crosses I-40 on the east side of Winslow, once all of the paving is completed. During replacement of the SR 87 bridge deck, north bound traffic will remain open during the entire project while southbound traffic will be diverted to the Transcon interchange.
Work hours will be 2 a.m. to sunset Monday through Friday. There will be narrow traffic lanes, wide load restrictions and a reduced speed limit through the work zones. Drivers are asked to use caution, watch for detour signs and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.
UPDATED 7/29 4:02 Thanks to Linda Messimer for the correction on Davenport Lake.
WILLIAMS— Williams has the distinction of being the last route 66 town bypassed by interstate 40. The mural on the wall by Circle K is a tribute to that. So while you are here you might want to stay an extra day in Williams to explore the Mother Road.
“On Arizona Highway 87, south of Chandler. Maricopa County, Arizona.” by Dorothea Lange – U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Route 66 gained the name of the Mother Road because of its significance to history. During the depression when tragedy struck the Great Plains—in what was called the great Dust Bowl—thousands took to Route 66 to travel west in search of a better life. This was depicted in the book and movie The Grapes of Wrath.
Route 66 was instrumental in winning World War I and World War II. Old-timers told me of the days when they would watch convoys of men and material moving down Route 66 to be shipped off to war. Most people don’t realize that Interstate 40, and all other freeways for that matter, were started by President Eisenhower who brought the idea back from the German autobahn.
Route 66 has seen a resurgence of interest since it was decomissioned. Williams and Flagstaff have a significant amount of Route 66 still available for travel. The stretch we will examine in this article is from Bellmont to Williams.
Of course it goes down to Ash Fork which is another significant Route 66 town, as well as a railroad center in the old west. Ash Fork history can be seen at the Route 66 Museum in Ash Fork on, well… Route 66. Continue reading →
WILLIAMS — We are located in the high country where the deer and antelope play. Currently there are a lot of deer and elk foraging the forests around Williams and Flagstaff and all points in-between.
We remind visitors that the deer are very active around Country Club Road which is near the entrance/exit on the west end of town. They are also very active south on Perskinsville Road which leads past the Santa Fe dam. You need to keep an eye out on Highway 64 to the Grand Canyon, as well.
They are generally most active in the early morning, evening and night time hours and they can cross the road or freeway without warning. Please keep an eye on the sides of the roads and watch for them or you could have a very costly accident.
If you are camping, deer may seem tame enough to feed or pet. You might have even pet them at the Deer Farm Petting Zoo just east of Williams. In the wild, however, it is a different story. They can spook easily and attack without warning. Please watch your children while camping in the woods and do not let them explore alone.
You can generally get good photos from your vehicle or from a safe distance. Use your zoom.
WILLIAMS — We are located in the high country where the deer and antelope play. Currently there are a lot of deer and elk foraging the forests around Williams and Flagstaff and all points in-between.