Snowfall closes major eastbound freeway in northern Arizona

PHOENIX — Heavy snowfall forced the closure of the eastbound lanes of major freeway in northern Arizona on Friday, the state department of transportation said.

In an email, ADOT said Interstate 40 was closed for nearly 10 miles near the town of Ash Fork, about 40 miles west of Flagstaff, just before 1 p.m.

The freeway was reopened about two hours later.

Drivers were sent on a long detour on southbound State Route 89 toward Prescott. To reconnect to I-40, they had to take an hourslong route back toward Flagstaff.

Mark Trennepohl, ADOT’s statewide road weather manager, explains the tough conditions on I-40 at Williams. #azwx pic.twitter.com/SxQJUpN1Zr

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) February 23, 2018

The westbound lanes of the freeway remained open during the closure.

The National Weather Service said a cold front is causing snow showers and that snow levels will reach down to valley floors.

A winter weather advisory issued for the Flagstaff area said new snowfall between 3 a.m. and 8 p.m. Friday in Flagstaff and Williams may reach up to 4 inches (10 centimeters).

ADOT advised travelers headed to the Grand Canyon to allow plenty of extra travel time because of snow and limited visibility.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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