Arizona Department of Transportation SR 179 Improvement Project 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. For a complete listing of freeway and highway restrictions across Arizona visit ADOT's Travel Information Site at www.az511.com or call 5-1-1. What to watch for the week of May 28: What's New on SR 179 Jack's Canyon Road will re-open for Memorial Day weekend and re-close May 29, for up to three weeks, to finish the curb and gutter, paving and sidewalks for the roundabout at that intersection. A detour using Cortez will be clearly identified. Work will begin on Verde Valley School Road the week of June 4. There will be restrictions but no closure. Details about the planned activities will be shared as they become available. Temporary paving south of the new Ranger Station is scheduled for Wednesday, May 30 in preparation for upcoming traffic shifts. Beginning June 1, the contractor may work Fridays and/or weekends, as needed. Ongoing Work on SR 179
Storm drain work throughout Project 1 is ongoing. Business access will be maintained, although intermittent driveway closures are necessary. The closures are minimized and expedited to the extent possible. Temporary concrete barrier is installed to help traffic flow, and blue business access signs are installed to guide traffic through the construction zone. 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. The HT Trail closure will be extended to mid-summer. Information will be provided as it becomes available. Navajo Road was reopened on May 18 and is to remain open, except for paving operations. Indian Cliffs Road is closed and will remain closed for several weeks due to storm drain work. Project 2 Utility Work Evening Lane Closures Continue
APS Trenching Juniper to Morgan Copper Cliffs to Highland Special Alert: Arizona Department of Transportation to Host Public Meetings for the I-17 Alternate Study The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is seeking input from the community about a potential alternate to I-17 for travelers between Flagstaff and Phoenix, particularly when an incident on I-17 cause long delays. Four public meetings have been schedule along the I-17 Corridor as follows: Thursday, May 31, 2007 Monday, June 4, 2007 Tuesday, June 5, 2007 Wednesday, June 6, 2007 Interstate 17 has limited practical alternatives available. Incident-related delays, as well as those associated with capacity and operational deficiencies, have made roadway reliability a major concern for I-17 users and has prompted ADOT to undertake a very preliminary study to assess the need for, and feasibility of, providing an alternate to I-17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff. This study is not intended to recommend a specific alignment. Rather, its intent is to recommend whether a more detailed study is warranted. This initial study will address three fundamental questions:
For More information regarding the public meetings or to submit comments in writing, please contact ADOT Written comments are requested by June 20, 2007. Memorial Day Weekend If you have driving plans over Memorial Day weekend, there's good news about travel on the state's highways. The Arizona Department of Transportation says no construction-related closures are scheduled over the three-day holiday weekend. ADOT Director Victor Mendez says the agency is urging drivers to concentrate on safe driving and being prepared before heading out on the road. "We still need drivers to prepare themselves for the unexpected," said Mendez. "Unscheduled highway closures can and do happen. Make sure your vehicle is ready and pack some extra supplies, such as drinking water, just in case something unexpected happens." ADOT will not schedule any highway or freeway closures around the state from Friday afternoon (May 25) through Monday night (May 28) There is one existing I-17 work zone near Camp Verde that drivers heading south from the high country should watch for. Southbound I-17 traffic is limited to one lane at the Verde River bridges near Camp Verde. ADOT anticipates southbound I-17 traffic will encounter some delays in the Camp Verde area during the busiest travel times over the weekend, including Monday afternoon. The best advice: Get a head start home or prepare some extra travel time if needed. Last year 12 people were killed in crashes in Arizona over the Memorial Day weekend. Five of those fatalities were alcohol related. ADOT, the Department of Public Safety and Governor's Office of Highway Safety are urging drivers to buckle up, slow down and be patient over the busy holiday weekend. Here are some safe driving tips for the Memorial Day weekend:
If you have information for the Scenic 179 construction updates, please send it to pr@scenic179.com or fax to 928-204-9835. To change your e-mail address, add someone new, or request a text version of this update, please e-mail pr@scenic179.com. |
