Tag Archives: State Route 89

SR 89A narrowed to one lane through the “switchbacks” this week

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF – ADOT maintenance crews will be cleaning out several culverts through the SR 89A “switchbacks,” between mileposts 387 and 390, Tuesday through Thursday (June 24 -26).

This seasonal maintenance is done in preparation of the upcoming summer monsoon, in anticipation of run-off from rain storms. The highway will be narrowed to one lane at times between 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.

Travel from Sedona to Flagstaff through the SR 89A switchbacks will be permitted during the maintenance, however short delays may be anticipated as the work is performed as flaggers guide traffic through the switchbacks.

Work on SR 89 in Prescott for the next two weeks

Posted on by

PRESCOTT – Crews will be present on State Route 89 (White Spar Road) in Prescott over the next two weeks to complete miscellaneous work on the improvement project.

There will be intermittent lane restrictions between 6 am. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday through July 3. The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph through the work zone.

Also, overhead utility work is scheduled Monday, June 23 through Wednesday, June 25 between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. Drivers can expect a single lane restriction.

ADOT advises drivers and bicyclists to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Junipine fire 25% contained

Posted on by

OAK CREEK – Just after recovering from the Slide Fire, the residents of upper Oak Creek were evacuated briefly from 4 to about 10:30 pm on the 16th. Reports today indicate that the fire remains as 13-acres and is 25% contained. The decrease wind-speed will no doubt assist fire fighters in their efforts. The fire was started by a downed power line. State Route 89 from Flagstaff to Sedona remains open after ADOT completed road work earlier than anticipated.

State Route 89A switchbacks closure lifted early

Posted on by

640px-sr89-Sedona-140501-42PHOENIX — Drivers traveling between Sedona and Flagstaff received welcome news when the Arizona Department of Transportation lifted restrictions and opened the “switchbacks” section of State Route 89A to motorists, well ahead of schedule, late last night. There are currently no construction/fire-related restrictions along SR 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff.

The three-mile section of SR 89A (mileposts 387-390) between the Pine Flat Campground and the Vista Point scenic overlook south of Flagstaff was closed to allow crews to resurface the highway along this narrow, twisty section of roadway, which is prone to rockfalls. As part of the $2 million improvement project, ADOT removed loose rocks from the mountainside along the roadway and made deck repairs to the historic Pumphouse Wash Bridge.

By allowing the contractor (Phoenix-based Combs Construction) unrestricted access to the work zone, crews were able to safely complete paving, bridge repair and rock scaling work in an expedited manner that would not have been possible without the full closure of the roadway.

From the beginning, ADOT was committed to completing the project as soon as possible while focusing on safety and quality. Prior to the start of the project, ADOT provided the contractor monetary incentives to complete the project prior to the end of the scheduled five-week closure. The contractor will receive the maximum allowed bonus ($104,000) for completing the work early.

“Thanks to the swift efforts by the contractor Combs Construction and ADOT’s steadfast commitment to complete the project as efficiently and safely as possible, we were able to reopen the closed SR 89A section of roadway – an incredible 16 days ahead of schedule,” said Flagstaff District Engineer Audra Merrick. “Despite this project’s many challenges, in the end, this will be a smoother, safer road for the traveling public for many years to come.”

The project began on April 21, with single lane restrictions in place along the switchbacks. The five-week full closure of the highway had originally been scheduled from May 27 – July 2, but crews were evacuated from the project on May 20, at the start of the Slide Fire. The wildfire originated approximately six miles south of the project near Slide Rock State Park and forced the closure of the highway from Sedona to Fort Tuthill in Flagstaff.

Work on the project resumed on June 1, shortly after local authorities lifted wildfire-related restrictions near the highway.

ADOT had a limited window in which to complete the paving work in this region (June – August) because applying new pavement is extremely temperature sensitive. The goal was to complete the pavement improvements prior to the rainy monsoon season, which could have delayed the project significantly.

ADOT will need to return next month to complete final lane striping through the project corridor. A single-lane restriction will be required and flaggers will be present to guide traffic through the work zone.

Dirt haul on SR 89 between Prescott and Chino Valley scheduled this week

Posted on by

Traffic on State Route 89 between Prescott and Chino Valley (mileposts 320 to 322) will be required to stop intermittently this week to allow trucks to safely cross the highway.

The hauling operation will take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday and Tuesday, June 16-17, with intermittent closures for dirt hauling. Drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes at a time.

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.

UPDATE on Final paving of SR 89 in Prescott

Posted on by

The final layer of pavement will be placed on State Route 89 (White Spar Road) in Prescott on Monday and Tuesday, June 16 and 17 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. each day.

This paving work did not occur earlier this month as originally publicized.

Drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes during paving activity. Once paving work is done, the project will be substantially complete with the exception of the final striping which will occur 30 days from now.

The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph through the work zone. ADOT advises drivers and bicyclists to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

ADOT begins I-17 intersection improvement at JW Powell south of Flagstaff

Posted on by

adot-logo3FLAGSTAFF – Work begins next week on the JW Powell Boulevard and I-17 intersection, with construction realigning State Route 89A at that location, and adding roundabouts at the Fort Tuthill County Park entrance and the I-17 southbound ramp.

Preparations for this project began last September when ADOT worked closely with Coconino County, the city of Flagstaff and the local utility company to remove trees within the work zone prior to construction starting this year. The trees were then used by a local non-profit throughout the winter. The area will be reseeded once the project is completed.

No traffic restrictions are anticipated during construction because the existing ramps and roadway can still be used while the realignment and roundabouts are constructed adjacent to current traffic operations.

The project is anticipated to be complete by summer 2015.

Final paving on SR 89 on White Spar Road in Prescott next week

Posted on by

adot-logo3ADOT is nearing completion of a pavement maintenance on White Spar Road in Prescott which began April 10.

Final pavement will be placed next week on the new roadway on State Route 89 (White Spar Road) in Prescott on Wednesday and Thursday, June 4 and 5 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

As paving activity occurs, drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes. Once paving is complete, crews will return in 30 days for final striping.

The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph through the work zone. ADOT advises drivers and bicyclists to proceed through the work zone with caution. Comply with the reduced speed limit and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Pavement maintenance next week on State Route 89A in Prescott Valley

Posted on by

adot-logo3State Route 89A in Prescott Valley will be narrowed to one lane toward the top of Mingus Mountain (mileposts 331 to 338) between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 3 and 4 for pavement preservation work.

Flaggers and a pilot car will direct traffic in alternating directions through the work zone. The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph and drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Fines for speeding through a construction zone are doubled.

Slide Rock Fire delays improvement project on SR 89A

Posted on by

State Route 89A is closed between Flagstaff and Sedona.

adot-logo3PHOENIX — Due to the ongoing firefighting efforts against the Slide Fire in Oak Creek Canyon, the State Route 89A improvement project along the switchbacks north of Sedona is on hold at this time, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

ADOT had been preparing for a scheduled closure of the SR 89A switchbacks for a pavement and safety-improvement project starting on Tuesday, May 27, at the conclusion of the Memorial Day weekend.

Crews were pulled off the project Tuesday afternoon shortly after the start of the Slide Fire, which originated approximately six miles south of the project near Slide Rock State Park.

Currently, SR 89A (mileposts 375-397) remains closed in both directions between Sedona and Flagstaff due to a wildfire that began Tuesday afternoon in the Oak Creek Canyon area.

Once the fire has been contained and access is allowed in the affected area, ADOT will need to conduct a roadway and rockfall assessment prior to any work resuming on the SR 89A project. Any potential environmental issues must also be addressed following the fire and all post-fire operations will be coordinated with the U.S. Forest Service.

Work began on the $2 million project to upgrade a three-and-a-half-mile segment of SR 89A between the Pine Flat Campground and Vista Point Overlook (mileposts 387-390) on April 21.