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 Notes: 

During construction, we ask the community — and even the greater Arizona community, which gets so much enjoyment out of the beauty of Sedona — to continue to take the time and make the effort to visit businesses along the route, and encourage more of your neighbors to do so, as well. Owners of neighborhood businesses need and appreciate your patronage so they can stay healthy through the construction process and be able to enjoy the benefits of the new SR 179 once it is complete.
 
Please honor speed limits throughout the construction zone. DPS is monitoring and ticketing to increase safety for workers and the traveling public. The lower (25 mph) speed limit also helps keep traffic moving through construction. A higher speed limit would cause more start and stopping and traffic back-ups.
 
Back O' Beyond Roundabout

The recent concrete removal at the Back O' Beyond Roundabout was due to concrete strength issues, not faulty design.  ADOT inspects all concrete work for certain content specifications.  Concrete that does not meet specifications is removed at the contractor's expense. ADOT does not pay for the work until the specifications are met.  The roundabout design remains the same, and new concrete will be poured shortly.

What to Watch for Week of October 8

West Side Work in the Village

With traffic switched onto the new pavement along the east side of SR 179 through the Village, work will commence on the west side. ADOT Representatives have personally visited the businesses on the west side and will maintain close communication throughout construction.
 
The week of October 8, the existing roadway on the west side will be removed to make way for the new roadway, curb and gutter, and sidewalks.  The old pavement was torn out first at west side driveway locations on Friday, October 5 so business access is maintained. Blue signs and flags clearly delineate business access.
 
Walkable Sidewalks

With traffic switched to the east side of the road through the Village of Oak Creek, passersby will notice the beautiful new sidewalks that are in place as well. The concrete color was selected by the community (during the community-based planning process that ADOT sponsored from August of 2003 through December of 2004) to add to the character of the area.
 
When the project is complete, pedestrians can walk from the new Ranger Station south of the Village to the "Y" intersection in Sedona, using either concrete sidewalks or compacted dirt  paths. Walkability was one of the major requests that ADOT heard from the community during the planning process.
 
There will be sidewalks along both sides of SR 179 through the business districts in the Village and also from Canyon to the "Y" in Sedona.
 
Project 2 Utility Relocation Work

Arizona Water and APS utility relocations for Project 2 are nearing completion.  Arizona Water will be working on the last of the new 16 inch waterline to be installed on Canyon Drive.  Over the next 3 weeks Arizona Water will install the remaining fire hydrants, water services and complete the testing on the water line.
 
APS is in the final stages of their planned relocations and anticipates to be completed with all relocation by the beginning of November.
 
Qwest will be working on moving their lines off of some existing overhead poles between Painted Canyon and Copper Cliffs Drive.  This work will be completed by the end of the year.