Tag Archives: US 180

Prepare for traffic, do your research if heading to play in the snow

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PHOENIX – With light snow in the forecast heading into a long weekend, winter recreation areas along US 180 near Flagstaff are likely to attract heavy traffic that leads to delays.

Those planning to visit snow-play areas along US 180 over the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend should leave prepared to spend extended time in winter weather – and to face traffic backlogs getting back to Flagstaff that increase as the day goes on.

They also should prepare for the trip by researching the locations of snow-play areas and whether those areas have enough snow to be open. The Flagstaff Convention & Visitors Bureau lists snow-play locations at FlagstaffArizona.org (follow the Winter Snowplay link) and offers a hotline at 844-256-SNOW with the latest snow conditions.

Don’t park along highways or interstates to play in the snow. That’s dangerous for you, other drivers and first responders. It also can exacerbate traffic congestion on US 180.

Once they get to Flagstaff on their trips home, those heading to points south at day’s end can save time getting to Interstate 17 by taking a marked alternate route to Interstate 40 at Butler Avenue, via Switzer Canyon Drive and Route 66, then heading west to I-17.

Motorists traveling to Arizona’s high country should allow extra travel time with snow in the forecast and prepare as they would for any extended period in cold weather. That includes taking winter coats, blankets, a fully charged cellphone and portable charger, plenty of fuel, drinking water, snacks and medications. ADOT offers more tips at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

Give snowplows a wide berth, staying four car lengths behind. Never pass a snowplow that’s clearing a road.

Pavement resurfacing begins Monday on US 60 and US 180 in eastern Arizona

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Drivers traveling on US 60 and US 180 in eastern Arizona should expect delays for the next two weeks as Arizona Department of Transportation crews resurface the road.

Expect delays on US 60 between mileposts 385-388 in Springerville and US 180 between mileposts 427-429 in Alpine as crews resurface the roadway.

Work will begin Monday (June 20), and continue weekdays until June 30. Work is scheduled from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

One lane will be closed for the work at each location. Flaggers will help traffic alternate to get by the work sites.

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

ADOT, Flagstaff team to improve traffic flow on US 180 downtown

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FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff residents and visitors will be able to spend more time enjoying the attractions of northern Arizona and less time getting there thanks to an upcoming Arizona Department of Transportation project designed to reduce congestion in the heart of that city.

ADOT and the city of Flagstaff are teaming to add turn lanes where North Humphreys Street (US 180) meets Historic Route 66, with the city contributing land for right of way. That intersection is where area residents, Grand Canyon visitors and those who play in the snow turn onto and off of US 180.

Using $1.9 million in federal funding, ADOT will add a second right-turn lane from southbound Humphreys Street onto Route 66. The project also will add a single right-turn lane from northbound Humphreys Street onto West Aspen Avenue, the first intersection north of Route 66 and a common route to downtown businesses. That lane eventually will become part of dual northbound lanes through the area.

The project involves land next to Flagstaff City Hall but won’t take any land from Wheeler Park north of Aspen Avenue, according to Audra Merrick, district engineer for ADOT’s Northcentral District, who added that the city’s contribution of land in the right of way made it possible to move ahead quickly.

“When we have partners contributing to these projects ‒ in this case, opportunities for rights of way ‒ it provides the needed value for these projects to be really successful,” Merrick said.

ADOT will do the work because Historic Route 66 and US 180 are state highways.

Design work is set to begin in fiscal year 2017, and construction is expected to start in fiscal year 2019.

Heavy snow-area traffic expected MLK Day weekend on US 180 near Flagstaff

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PHOENIX — Recent snowstorms combined with the long holiday weekend means winter recreation areas along US 180 near Flagstaff are expected to see heavy traffic, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Motorists using US 180 during Martin Luther King Jr./Civil Rights Day weekend should expect a long queue into Flagstaff after popular snow-play areas close between 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Making an earlier start back may help motorists avoid the heaviest traffic.

To avoid congestion through Flagstaff, consider taking an alternate snow-play route through the city via the Butler Avenue I-40 exit. Signs direct travelers to and from US 180.

In addition to allowing for extra travel time, visitors should prepare as they would for any extended period in a snowy, icy or cold area, starting with a fully charged cellphone, plenty of fuel, drinking water and winter coats, warm blankets or both.

Don’t pull over on highways or interstates to play in the snow. It’s dangerous for you, other drivers and first responders.

Give snowplows plenty of room, starting with maintaining four car lengths behind a plow. Never pass a snowplow that’s clearing a road.

For more information on preparing for travel in snow country, please visit azdot.gov/knowsnow.

Vegetation clearing on US 180 to begin tomorrow

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FLAGSTAFF — Travelers heading on US 180 north of Flagstaff should allow for extra travel time while ADOT crews perform vegetation clearing operations for a one-mile stretch just north of Shultz Pass Road (mileposts 219 to 220). This operation will clear out damaged and unwanted trees and requires a lane closure and occasional 10-minute roadway shutdowns during removal activity. The work will take place Monday through Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and be in effect during the weeks of October 5th and October 12th.

Drivers are asked to allow for extra travel time to reach their destinations, use caution and observe reduced speeds while maintenance is being performed in the area.

US 180 narrowed to one lane north of Flagstaff beginning Monday

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US 180 will be narrowed to one lane between Flagstaff and Valle (milepost 250 to 265) starting on Monday (Aug. 3) through Thursday (Aug. 6) from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The restriction is required to allow Arizona Department of Transportation crews to perform maintenance work on the roadway.

During maintenance operations, heavy delays can be anticipated. A pilot car will allow for alternating travel through the work zone. Please allow for extra time for travel time and exercise caution while moving through the area. Drivers should consider using I-40 and SR 64 as alternate route for travel.

US 180 lane restrictions to begin early Monday

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US 180 will have lane restrictions for east- and westbound travel beginning Monday (July 20) and continue daily through the week until Friday (July 25) for roadway striping.

The work will be performed from Columbus Avenue to Bader Road (milepost 216 to 224) from 3 a.m. to noon daily.

Please allow for extra travel time while in construction area and exercise caution while driving in the work zone.

Paving to resume on US 180 from Flagstaff to Snow Bowl on Monday

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FLAGSTAFF — Final paving work for the US 180 project will resume next week due to unseasonably cool and wet weather which halted paving. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will resume paving along a five-mile segment of US 180 from Schultz Pass to Bader roads (mileposts 219 – 224).

The paving work will occur daily, Monday (June 15) through Friday (June 19), between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

During paving operations, the two-lane roadway will be reduced to one lane. Pilot cars will allow for alternating travel and delays can be expected in both directions.

Motorists interested in traveling to the Grand Canyon National Park can use Interstate 40 to State Route 64 west of Flagstaff as an alternate route.

Paving continues on US 180 from Flagstaff to Snow Bowl next week

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640-sfp-141207-20FLAGSTAFF — The Arizona Department of Transportation is returning next week to continue application of the top layer of asphalt along a five-mile segment of US 180 from Schultz Pass to Bader roads (mileposts 219 – 224).

Due to expected rain and unseasonably cooler temperatures, the paving work had to be halted for the remainder of this week. Warmer weather is forecasted to move into Flagstaff next week which will allow paving to resume.

The finishing paving work will occur daily, Monday, June 8 through Friday, June 12, between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

During paving operations, the two-lane roadway will be reduced to one lane. Pilot cars will allow for alternating travel and delays can be expected in both directions.

Motorists interested in traveling to the Grand Canyon National Park can use Interstate 40 to State Route 64 west of Flagstaff in Williams as an alternate route.

According to Flagscanner, other street repairs in Flagstaff from June 8 to 12 include:

  1. Aztec St. – Beal Rd. to Thorpe St.
  2. Beal Rd. – Rockridge Rd. to W End
  3. Lava Ln. – Rockridge Rd. to End
  4. Basalt Ln. – Rockridge Rd. to End
  5. Whipple Rd. – Navajo Rd. to Fort Valley Rd.
  6. Whiting Rd. – Navajo Rd. to Fort Valley Rd.
  7. Anderson Dr. – Aztec St. to Navajo Dr.
  8. Fort Valley Frontage Rd. – Fort Valley Rd to Murray Rd.
  9. Hazel Way – Talkington Dr. to End
  10. Davis Dr. – Talkington Dr. to End
  11. Talkington Dr. – Meade Ln. to Crescent Dr.
  12. Lantern Ln. – Talkington Dr. to End
  13. Meteor Dr. – Crescent Dr. to Crescent Dr.
  14. Kramer St. – End to End
  15. Foothills Way – Fremont Blvd. to End
  16. Eddy Dr. – Wilson Dr. to West End of Cul De Sac
  17. Shannon Dr. – Prescott Rd. to Wilson Dr.
  18. Wilson Dr. – Shannon Dr. to Fremont Blvd.
  19. Nicole Ln. – Peakview St. to End
  20. Red Rock Ln. – Snowcap Way to Peakview St.
  21. Sheila Dr. – Brenda Loop to Fremont Blvd.
  22. Mountain Dr. – Peakview St. to Fremont Blvd.
  23. Lois Ln. – Peak View to End
  24. Peakview St.– Ft. Valley Rd. to Shannon Dr.
  25. Kendrick St. – Mikes Pike St. to Butler Ave.
  26. Mikes Pike St. – Route 66 to Phoenix Ave.
  27. Leroux St. – Cottage Ave. to Phoenix Ave.
  28. Dupont Ave. – Verde St. to Agassiz St.
  29. Verde St. – Franklin Ave. to End

Detours are expected for the above street repairs.

Road construction starting on US 180 west of St. Johns

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The Arizona Department of Transportation will begin an improvement project on Wednesday, April 22 to resurface eight miles of US 180 west of St. Johns (milepost 338-347).

The $3.6 million project will include removing and replacing the existing asphalt, removing and replacing the approach slabs at the Little Colorado Bridge and other related work. The work is anticipated to be completed by October.

Work hours will be from sunrise to sunset Monday through Friday. Flaggers and pilot cars will be used to guide vehicles through the work zone and drivers should anticipate delays of up to 30 minutes. A traffic signal will also be used to regulate traffic across the bridge in alternating directions. There will be narrow traffic lanes, wide load restrictions and a reduced speed limit through the work zone.

Drivers are asked to use caution and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.