State Route 179 to be restricted through Oak Creek for chip seal work

PHOENIX – Those traveling between Interstate 17 and Sedona along State Route 179 will need to plan extra travel time as the highway will be narrowed to one lane between the Red Rock Ranger Station and Chapel Road so Arizona Department of Transportation crews can apply chip seal.

Beginning Monday, May 13, crews will restrict SR 179 to one lane in 3-mile segments through the Village of Oak Creek. Drivers moving through the area should expect long delays as each direction of traffic will alternate through the work zone.

Flaggers and pilot cars will provide traffic control through the work zone. Flaggers will also be on site to maintain access to businesses, communities and local streets throughout the project area.

Drivers can also consider using SR 89A and SR 260 through Cottonwood as an alternate route between I-17 and Sedona.

The project is expected to last for five consecutive days and be completed by the end of the week.

For more information on this project and others, visit azdot.gov.

Five ADOT projects start April 20

ARIZONA — ADOT reminds travelers that five projects are scheduled to start Monday, April 20 around our area.

1. Maintenance work on Milton Road (SR 89A) under Santa Fe Railroad Bridge in Flagstaff April 20

Travelers heading through Flagstaff need to allow for extra travel time Monday, April 20, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. as ADOT crews perform maintenance operations under the Santa Fe Railroad Bridge on Milton Road (SR 89A). One lane of travel will be closed in each direction during the scheduled work. Drivers are asked to allow for extra travel time to reach their destinations and use caution while maintenance is performed in the area.

2. Overnight dirt haul on SR 89 between Prescott and Chino Valley continues

Traffic on State Route 89 between Prescott and Chino Valley (mileposts 320 to 325) will be required to stop intermittently, weather permitting, for the next three weeks to allow trucks to safely cross the highway.

The hauling operation will resume on Monday, April 20 and continue through Friday, May 8.

Overnight work hours are Monday through Friday between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. each night and intermittent closures are expected for dirt hauling. Drivers can expect overnight delays of up to 10 minutes for the next three weeks .

Upon completion of the $17 million project, ADOT will expand the two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided highway along a five-mile segment of SR 89 (mileposts 320-325) between Road 4 South in Chino Valley and Deep Well Ranch Road in Prescott, just north of the SR 89/SR 89A junction. The project is expected to be complete by August.

3. Lane restrictions overnight on Interstate 17 for bridge work

Work will begin on Monday, April 20 at the McGuireville traffic interchange

PRESCOTT: Overnight bridge work will begin on a two-mile segment of Interstate 17 at the McGuireville traffic interchange (mileposts 292 to 294) on Monday, April 20 and continue through Friday, May 29.

Crews are working on the McGuireville underpass overnight and drivers can expect alternating lane restrictions in both directions and a 12-foot width restriction during work hours of 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. each day.

This $210,000 project consists of bridge work on the McGuireville underpass.

4. Work continues on I-17 near the McGuireville Rest Area

Work will continue next week at the McGuireville rest area on Interstate 17 approximately two miles south of the State Route 179 junction (mileposts 294 to 299).

Drivers can expect a single lane restriction in both directions Monday, April 20 through Thursday, April 23 between 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Minimal delays expected.

5. Paving work continues next week on US 93 at Wickenburg Ranch

Motorists traveling along US 93 north of Wickenburg should allow extra travel time next week as crews continue with final paving on the new roundabout at the Wickenburg Ranch entrance.

Work hours are Monday, April 20 through Wednesday, April 22 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

Drivers can expect intermittent single-lane restrictions on US 93 and delays of up to 15 minutes during work hours. Flaggers will direct traffic in alternating directions using the single lane that is open.

Southbound drivers on State Route 89 at the US 93 junction need to be aware of stopped traffic as a result of the scheduled paving work.

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage. ADOT advises drivers to allow additional time to reach their destinations and to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

State Route 89A switchbacks remains closed, sinkhole repairs started today

adot-logo-03aPHOENIX — Repairs of the roadway damage caused from a sinkhole started today along State Route 89A in the Oak Creek Canyon switchbacks, but the roadway remains closed (mileposts 387-390) and is expected to remain closed until later this week, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Crews used heavy equipment to excavate a six-foot deep, eight-foot wide section of the roadway today to remove loose material underneath the pavement near milepost 388, where the sinkhole was originally spotted on Saturday afternoon on the northbound lane.

After the earthwork was completed, crews filled the void with a liquid concrete-cement mix that needs to harden for at least 24 hours before the roadway can be repaved. In an effort to expedite the repairs as soon as possible, ADOT is currently contacting potential contractors to get the asphalt that will be needed to complete the paving.

Prior to construction, a team of geotechnical engineers conducted a field inspection of the sinkhole this morning and determined that it could be repaired immediately.

With SR 89A closed from the Pine Flats Campground to the Vista Point scenic overlook, the recommended detour from Sedona to Flagstaff is to take State Route 179 to Interstate 17. The detour could add up to an extra half hour of travel time for motorists commuting between Sedona and Flagstaff.

Pavement Markings to be replaced on I-17 just north of SR 179 Junction beginning Columbus Day

adot-logo3One lane for northbound traffic on I-17 will be temporarily closed with reduced travel speeds for a three mile segment just north of the SR 179 junction beginning Monday, Oct. 13. The lane reduction is required to allow for removal and installation of new pavement markers which provide greater visibility during weather events and are more durable under heavy traffic.

The marking replacement operation will continue weekly Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is expected to be completed mid-November. During construction, drivers are asked to allow for extra travel time, exercise caution and observe reduced speeds within the construction zone.

Bike riders expected throughout Verde Valley this weekend

adot-logo3The Arizona Department of Transportation is encouraging drivers to be alert for bicyclists traveling along the shoulders of state highways throughout the Verde Valley this weekend due to a special event.

More than 1,000 bicyclists are expected to participate in a charity bike race on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Drivers can expect to see bicycle riders on State Route 89A and SR 179. Minimal delays are expected but ADOT suggests drivers be prepared for slower traffic through the area.

State law requires a vehicle to maintain a three-foot gap when passing a bicycle on a roadway.