SR 87 pavement replacement to affect traffic between Phoenix and Payson

PHOENIX — A pavement replacement project on State Route 87 south of Payson will restrict lanes and delay travel to and from the Valley and the White Mountains, the Arizona Department of Transportation announced.

The $3.9 million project, which aims to extend the life of the roadway and provide a smoother ride, will begin Tuesday at milepost 241 in Rye. The work will continue nine miles north to Indian Road, milepost 250.

The highway will narrow to one lane each way during construction, while all lanes will open when crews are not present and the pavement has cured.

Work is expected to finish by spring 2023, according to a press release.

There is also an erosion repair project ongoing on SR 87 at milepost 230, 30 miles south of Payson.

Starting this week, crews began work replacing a box culvert and pavement on the shoulder of the highway, requiring a single lane closure northbound.

The project is expected to finish in several weeks, according to the release.

Get the latest KTAR News 92.3 FM traffic alerts sent straight to your phone by texting “TRAFFIC” to 411923.

Follow @KTAR923