As temperatures rise, ADOT ramps up work on northern Arizona highways
May 29, 2019, 7:45 PM
(Flickr Photo/Arizona Department of Transportation)
(Flickr Photo/Arizona Department of Transportation)
PHOENIX – As temperatures rise, the Arizona Department of Transportation is ramping up roadwork projects in the high country.
“Summer is the best time to do work on northern Arizona highways because the overnight temperatures need to be high enough for new pavement to cure properly,” Audra Merrick, district engineer for ADOT’s North Central District, said in a press release.
“These projects help repair long-term damage to pavement from multiple winters.”
That could lead to travel delays, although ADOT says it attempts to minimize disruptions by not scheduling weekend and holiday work.
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Work has resumed along Interstate 40 between Cataract Lake and Parks west of Flagstaff, as crews repair the ramps and guardrails at the Grand Canyon Boulevard interchange, requiring ramp closures through early June.
Improvements in that area will include laying fresh pavement along 17 miles of I-40.
In June, crews will resume paving northbound I-17 from the Coconino County line to I-40 in Flagstaff.
Then in mid-August, repairs will begin on damaged pavement along State Route 89A through Oak Creek Canyon, covering around 12 miles between uptown Sedona and the Pumphouse Wash bridge.
ADOT provides real-time highway conditions online, on Twitter or over the phone at 511.
Drivers can also get alerts and alternate route notifications via ADOT’s mobile app.
Get the latest KTAR News 92.3 FM traffic alerts sent straight to your phone by texting “TRAFFIC” to 411923.
