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.

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.

Special Update on Vegetation

Throughout the planning, design, and construction of improvements to SR 179, the project Agency Stakeholders (Federal Highway Administration, ADOT, Coconino National Forest, Yavapai County, Coconino County, City of Sedona, and Big Park Regional Coordinating Council) have specifically committed to minimizing the loss and replacement of all vegetation along the SR 179 corridor.

On Project 1, several native trees have been salvaged and will be relocated within the Forest.  Yavapai County and the Big Park Regional Coordinating Council have applied for, and received, a federal grant to landscape the non-forest service sections within the Village.

For Project 2, the City of Sedona has applied for grants and incorporated their own funds to landscape portions of the new roadway (the Business District and roundabouts), with provisions to complete the rest as funding becomes available.

The area of the Oak Creek streambed and channel that will be disturbed by bridge and wall construction will be mitigated by a plan approved by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and Army Corps of Engineers.

• Less than ten large (> 18”) sycamore trees will be removed by road and bridge construction.
  
• None of the large sycamores within the Tlaquepaque parking lot or within their wall will be removed.
  
• ADOT has also consulted with a Certified Arborist on how to protect the root systems of the trees close to construction activities to minimize stress to the trees.

Highlights for the week of August 13:

• Navajo Road will close this week on the east side of SR 179 to pour the driveway and curb/gutter.  This should take approximately one week.
  
• New driveways will be installed at Circle K and ACE Hardware in the Village; access to businesses will be maintained.  Each driveway takes about one week to form, pour, and set.
  
• Watch for blue signs to guide you to businesses.
  
• Two-way traffic is being maintained.

What's Happening on SR 179

South of the Village of Oak Creek, there is noticeable progress on the curb and gutter being poured along the edges of SR 179.  Passersby also will notice the installation of sidewalks along the east side of the road.

When completed, SR 179 will accommodate pedestrians along the entire route, either on dirt paths or colored concrete sidewalks.

Construction of the major storm drain through the Village of Oak Creek is nearly complete.  With just under 50 feet left to install, crews are preparing the east side of the road for paving.  In some areas, heavy equipment can be seen on the west side installing inlet pipes that cross under the road to direct storm water into the new storm drain system on the east side.

Once the east side of the road is paved, traffic will be switched onto the east side so work can proceed on the west side.

Work in the Village of Oak Creek is scheduled to be complete later this year.

In the Coconino National Forest, work is progressing on the new southbound alignment, bridges, and scenic pullouts.  The Bell Rock Bridge deck has been poured and is curing, and the HT trail bridge deck will be poured within the next couple of weeks.

The community-selected design for SR 179 through the Forest called for the two directions of traffic to be separated for a more scenic and relaxing driver experience.

Project 2

Project 2 starts at Back O Beyond and proceeds to the “Y” intersection of SR 179 and SR 89A.  Project 2 has advertised for construction, and bids are due in September.

Road improvement work should start on Project 2 in early 2008.

Utility Work Continues

Arizona Water’s contractor, Tiffany Construction, will continuing working on installing the new 16” waterline.  Crews will be working on Highland Road and in-front of Hillside Shops.  This work will be done at night.

APS crews will continue working on Ranger Road and SR 179 between Ranger and Schnebly Hill Road.

Night work will be between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. and may require shifting the traffic lanes.  Traffic will be maintained in both directions and directed by flag crews at all times.