Chains Recommended on US 60 to Show Low

US 60 between Globe and Show Low was closed briefly last night because of snow. The highway is now open but the Department of Public Safety is recommending chains or four wheel drive.

No Highway Construction Closures Over Holiday Weekends

The Arizona Department of Transportation says there will be no state highway construction closures over the Christmas and New Year’s weekends.

ADOT is still advising drivers to be prepared for existing work zones and possible increased traffic before and at the end of each holiday weekend.

ADOT has several ways to stay up to date on highway conditions. The Travel Information site is www.az511.gov. Or you can dial 5-1-1 on your telephone. Updates are also provided on Twitter and you can sign up for e-mail alerts at www.azdot.gov.

ADOT Says Allow Extra Time for Holiday Travel

The Arizona Department of Transportation says that no construction closures are scheduled over the holiday weekend beginning Wednesday afternoon.

ADOT still encourages drivers to allow extra travel time during peak holiday travel periods and to use extra caution in existing work zones.

You can find highway condition updates at az511.gov, azdot.gov, or by dialing 5-1-1 on your telephone.

Lane Restrictions This Week on US 60 Near Superior

The Arizona Department of Transportation is making improvements to the Queen Creek bridge on US 60 just east of Superior. Lane restrictions will take place between 6:30am until 4:30pm today (Monday) through Thursday and until Midnight on Wednesday. Expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

Tanner Fire 80% Contained, Highway 288 Re-Opened

Pleasant Valley Ranger District fire specialists are managing the lightning-caused Tanner wildfire, about 19 miles south of Young. The fire has burned about 5,500 acres and is 80% contained.

Highway 288 is now open. The highway was closed last week from McFadden south to the A-Cross Road due to fire conditions.

Forest and ADOT officials are asking the public to drive with caution on that stretch of Highway 288. ADOT crews are performing maintenance and firefighters are cleaning up debris from the fire.

Reconstruction of San Carlos River Bridge Begins Today

The Arizona Department of Transportation begins reconstruction today of the San Carlos River Bridge on US 70 near Peridot and San Carlos. Eastbound and westbound traffic will be directed through one open lane across the bridge at milepost 271, about 21 miles east of Globe.

Today through Wednesday crews will close the westbound lane from 6:am to 6:pm to work on a sewer bypass.

Beginning Thursday and continuing through next summer, the eastbound lane will be closed for demolition and reconstruction of the south half of the bridge. Crews will work daily from sunrise to sunset. A temporary traffic signal will direct eastbound and westbound traffic through one open lane 24 hours a day.

Once the south side of the bridge has been reconstructed, crews will begin working on the north side of the bridge and the westbound lane will be closed.

Motorists should expect delays of up to 10 minutes during peak traffic times.

Lane Restrictions on US 60

Pavement improvement work on US 60 will require lane restrictions this week along an 11-mile stretch between Superior and Top of the World. Crews will apply a chip seal surface to the highway from 6:pm until 6:am today through Friday. Motorists should expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

Since lane restrictions also continue on US 60 near Gold Canyon, drivers from Globe-Miami should allow extra time for travel to and from the Phoenix area.

Construction to Begin at Canyon Intersection

Construction will begin on Monday (August 22) at the intersection of Six Shooter Canyon and Ice House Canyon. There may be slight traffic delays.

US 60 Construction Hours Extended

The construction hours on US 60 announced earlier have been extended. Crews will now work 2:am to 6:pm Monday through Friday rather than 5:30am to 3:30pm as originally announced.

The Arizona Department of Transportation will begin paving early tomorrow (Wednesday) morning east of Kings Ranch Road between mileposts 204 and 210. Both eastbound and westbound lanes will close intermittently during work hours. One lane in both directions will be open at all times.

Paving on US 60 to Require Lane Closures

Arizona Department of Transportation will be paving US 60 this week. This will require intermittent lane closures for both eastbound and westbound traffic. The first segment of paving is scheduled to begin on Wednesday. It will be east of Kings Ranch Road between mileposts 204 and 210. Crews will work Monday through Friday from 5:30am to 3:30pm.

Rig Hauling Anode Across Arizona to Miami

A Phoenix-based hauling company will be carrying a 285 ton anode across Arizona this week to the Freeport-McMoRan mine in Miami. A 225 foot specially designed truck and trailer rig from Precision Heavy Haul is expected to cross the border from Nevada into Arizona shortly after midnight tonight (Tuesday AM) It started its trip from Salt Lake City last Tuesday and will take eight more days to reach its destination.

During its trip across the state, motorists can expect delays in the vicinity of the oversized load, which takes up to two lanes and is being escorted by Department of Public Safety officers and pilot cars.

The rig’s final day of travel will be next Tuesday, August 16 when it leaves Tonto Basin at 6:am, traveling southeast on SR 188, then west on US 60 to New Street in Miami.

(Photo from ADOT)

Delays Continue on US 60 Near Gold Canyon

Delays will continue for at least another week on US 60 near Gold Canyon. For the past two weeks a 24 hour lane closure has been in effect as crews have been resurfacing the bridge decks. Crews will now also begin working on the approaches to the bridges.

Right and left lanes on eastbound and westbound US 60 will be closing intermittenly from 5:30am until 3:30pm Monday through Friday between mileposts 208 and 211.

The segment of US 60 between mileposts 205 and 207 will continue to be reduced to one lane 24 hours a day until the end of July. The lane closure will remain in place after work hours and during weekends.

The bridge work is part of a 12 mile repaving project on US 60 from the end of the Superstition Freeway to State Route 79 at Florence Junction.

ADOT Says Allow Extra Time for Holiday Travel

The Arizona Department of Transporation advises everyone who plans to travel over the Memorial Day weekend to keep existing highway work zones in mind. Even when projects are shut down for the holiday, there are work zones with lane closures that will affect traffic. Be sure to allow extra travel time and consider traveling in non-peak hours—especially earlier in the day before traffic builds up.

Before heading out on the road, call 5-1-1 for travel conditions or visit www.az511.gov.

One of the work zone locations to be aware of is State Route 260 east of Payson where there are widening projects. If you’re traveling to the Rim Country over the Memorial day weekend be prepared for slower traffic at times.

US 60 and SR 77 Road Work Begins Wednesday

The Arizona Department of Transportation will be sealing pavement cracks on a 11 mile stretch of US 60 from May 18 through June 8. Crews will work Monday through Friday from 5:am to 7:pm.Drivers can expect delays of up to 30 minutes. Wide loads more than 12 feet will not be permitted during working hours.ADOT says motorists from Globe-Miami, Superior and Kearny should allow extra time for travel to and from the Phoenix metropolitan area.

ADOT will also be applying a coat of rejuvenating oil to a three mile stretch of State Route 77 between Globe and Winkelman. The work begins on Wednesday, May 18 and will continue through Thursda, May 19. Lane closures will be in effect from 7:am to 5:pm, five miles south of Globe. Drivers can expect delays of up to 30 minutes.

Stolen Cattle Guard Grates Create Road Danger

Two cattle guard grates have been stolen from roads in the Globe Ranger District. Forest officials have issued a public safety warning that you could hurt yourself or damage your vehicle if you drive on a road where one of the grates has been removed.

They suggest that you find out where cattle guards are placed on the routes you travel so that you can slow down and make sure the grates are there and have not been tampered with.

An investigation into the thefts continues.

For more information contact the Globe Ranger District at 402-6200.

Snow Closes Northern Arizona Interstates

The two interstate highways across northern Arizona are closed this (Thursday) morning and may stay closed for awhile. A major winter storm dumped snow in the mountains and rain in the Arizona lower deserts.

Interstate 17 is closed in and out of Flagstaff, which received more than a foot of snow. Interstate 40 is closed from Kingman to Holbrook. State Routes 260, 87 and 89A are also closed around Flagstaff. Flagstaff could receive another 1 to 3 inches of snow today.Snow also fell at the Grand Canyon, Prescott and other parts of northern Arizona.

Snow accumulations may reach 8 to 10 inches above 6,000 feet and 1 to 8 inches between 2,000 and 6,000 feet. Snow levels may fall to 2000 feet by late this morning.

Meanwhile, rain soaked the Phoenix area and much of south-central Arizona. Temperatures are expected to be as much as 15 degrees below normal.

ADOT Prepares for Major Winter Storm

As another holiday weekend approaches, the Arizona Department of Transportation reminds motorists to stay up to date on road and weather conditions before leaving home. ADOT says they are prepared to tackle snow and ice on interstate and state routes but drivers should be prepared for temporary closures and changing conditions. I-40 and I-17 in northern Arizona will be top priorities and some other northern Arizona highways may be closed temporarily if there are unsafe conditions. Also be aware that even the interstates may be closed if conditions are especially severe.

You can get information about road conditions by dialing 5-1-1 on your telephome or by going to www.az511.gov on the Web.