Multiple highways leading toward Flagstaff temporarily closed for winter weather conditions

PHOENIX — Two northbound highways along routes to Flagstaff were temporarily closed on Friday due to winter weather conditions, the Arizona Department of Transportation announced in the early afternoon.

A roughly 22-mile stretch of SR 89A going from Sedona toward Flagstaff up to the I-17 interchange marked one closure. Both directions of SR89A later reopened around 5:30 p.m.

The other closure was for about 41 miles on I-17 starting near the SR 179 interchange up to near where the aforementioned SR 89A meets the I-17.

Officials later announced southbound I-17 was also closed at Munds Park, reopening about two hours later around 2:30 p.m.

I-17 northbound lanes reopened at the juncture with SR-179 at milepost 299 around 4 p.m., ADOT said.

Highways begin to reopen on Saturday

Westbound I-40 in Winslow, which was closed to help alleviate congestion on a 15-mile stretch of highway west of Flagstaff, reopened Saturday just before noon. ADOT also announced that SR-87 south of Winslow reopened.  I-40 westbound in Holbrook reopened shortly after.

Eastbound I-40 in Ash Fork reopened Saturday around 11 a.m. after multiple vehicle slide-offs due to the winter weather conditions closed the portion of the highway Friday night just after 4 p.m.

Eastbound I-40 near Kingman, which closed Friday night as well, reopened shortly after the Ash Fork section of the highway was reopened.

On Saturday morning around 6 a.m., the southbound lanes of SR-87 south of Payson at milepost 238 reopened. It had been closed since about 8 p.m. Friday night due to winter weather, according to ADOT. 

Snowy weather caused the highway closures

ADOT said “multiple vehicle slide-offs” had occurred due to the weather system that also brought rain, power outages and travel delays to the Valley in the morning.

“Heavy snowfall in the area is making travel difficult, and ADOT encourages motorists to delay travel plans until the winter storm passes,” officials said in a news release. “If conditions deteriorate, other highways may become impassable and be closed for public safety.”

The department advised drivers to postpone travel if possible or otherwise prepare for lengthy delays. A list of what drivers should have with them in those situations is available on ADOT’s website.

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