Arizona Department of Transportation SR 179 Improvement Project
(800) 529-2876 www.scenic179.com pr@scenic179.com

Welcome to the State Route (SR) 179 Project Weekly Construction Update - your electronic connection to the SR 179 Project with the most current information on construction plans and activities.

Please note:Changes to construction plans can happen frequently due to weather, equipment availability and personnel issues. We try to anticipate construction activities a week in advance but changes may occur. Intermittent lane closures, with short delays, may not always be known in advance.

What to watch for Week of February 19

Special ADOT Bulletin: State Route 89A to close for repair work

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will close State Route 89A through Oak Creek Canyon at the switchbacks between the Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Overlook and Pine Flats Campgrounds at 7 a.m. Feb. 20, so that ADOT can repair a retaining wall. The closure will last approximately two weeks.

During this time, through traffic will not be allowed to pass through the switchbacks on SR 89A. Motorists desiring to use 89A as a route between Sedona and Flagstaff are encouraged to use alternate routes. All homes and businesses in the canyon will be accessible during the closure from their respective sides of the switchbacks.

A hotline has been established to address questions of residents and businesses in the area. That number is (888) 236-4374.

What's New on SR 179

A dirt haul is planned to begin Wednesday, February 21.  This operation will take place between milepost 309.3 and Little Horse Trailhead.  Watch for trucks entering and exiting the highway and flagging operations.

It is anticipated that crews will begin working more on Fridays and weekends to accelerate their progress.  As always, traffic flow will be monitored and maintained at all times.

Castle Rock Road on the east side of SR 179 is closed temporarily for storm drain work, with signs directing traffic to use either Cortez or Navajo Roads.   It is anticipated that Castle Rock Road will be reopened within three weeks. Utility work is beginning this month for Project 2 (Back O’ Beyond to the “Y”).  Please see below for additional details.

Project 2 Utility Work Coming This Month

Back O’ Beyond to Copper Cliffs (APS, Qwest and Cable Vision)
APS, Qwest and Cable Vision will begin utility relocation work between Back O’ Beyond and Copper Cliffs in the beginning of February. This work is planned to be completed by April 2007. The public can expect to see APS, Qwest and Cable Vision crews and their contractor adjacent to the roadway in this area.

Painted Canyon to Arrow Drive (Unisource)
Unisource Gas will begin installing a new 6” gas line between Painted Canyon and Arrow Drive. This work will begin in mid February and is expected to be completed by late March. The public can expect to see Unisource crews and their contractor adjacent to the roadway in this area.

Canyon to the Y (Arizona Water)
Arizona Water Company will be installing a new 16” water line between Canyon Drive and the Y (SR 179/89A). This work is scheduled to begin in February and is expected to be completed by mid July. The public can expect to see Arizona Water crews and their contractor adjacent to and in the roadway in this area.

Hillside to Exposures Gallery (NPG Cable)
NPG Cable will be trenching on the west side of SR 179 across from Hillside’s south driveway to the Exposures Gallery. The work will require a lane shift of the SB traffic. The work is expected to begin in 2-3 weeks and will take approximately 2-3 days to complete. NPG has contacted the adjacent businesses (including Inn on Oak Creek and Hillside management) to provide notice of this work, and agreed to do the trenching March 5th, 6th and 7th to avoid a special event on the previous Friday.

Schnebly Hill Road to Ranger Rd (APS, Qwest and Cable Vision)
APS, Qwest and Cable Vision will be temporarily relocating their overhead facilities located near the Oak Creek Bridge to allow enough room for the SR 179 contractor to construct the new Oak Creek Pedestrian Bridge. Please note that the overhead relocation and associated large poles are temporary. Once the Pedestrian Bridge across Oak Creek has been constructed, all three utility companies will permanently relocate underground and use the underside of the new pedestrian bridge as the way across the creek. The work is scheduled to begin in February and is expected to be completed by May 2007. The public can expect to see APS, Qwest and Cable Vision crews and their contractor adjacent to the roadway in this area.

Construction of a retaining wall is ongoing south of the Village of Oak Creek where traffic has been shifted westward onto temporary pavement. There may be minor traffic impacts such as shoulder closures or construction vehicles needing access to the road, or lane closures of short durations with flaggers/DPS present.

Drainage work between the new Ranger Station and Ridge Trail Drive is ongoing. There may be minor traffic impacts such as shoulder closures or construction vehicles needing access to the road, or lane closures with flaggers/DPS present.

Crews have made progress breaking through the hard rock near Jack’s Canyon Road and expect to reopen the intersection to traffic in February.

Intermittent driveway closures are necessary for the construction of the new improved storm drain, curb, gutter, sidewalk, and driveways. These closures will be minimized to the extent possible and signage will be placed to assist with business access. Individual businesses will be given advance notice of these closures.

Work for new bridge construction in the forest segment is ongoing near milepost 309.5, and there may be short duration flagging operations. The HT Trail will be closed until Spring 2007.

Traffic at Back O Beyond is shifted to the east side of the road, so storm drain work can proceed on the west side. Temporary concrete barrier is installed to help traffic flow. There may be intermittent lane closures with flaggers/DPS present.

ADOT hosts Construction Chat on the first Thursday of each month from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. at the SR 179 Project Office in Bell Rock Plaza. The next Construction Chat will be Thursday, March 1.