[joe bartels]

This will be an ongoing thread, it's locked to keep on topic. Use or create other threads in this forum for specific road conditions. Please search for the FR(forest road) # and name before posting.

Sugarloaf Road closed 2011 January 24-28 for construction activity

Access to Tonto National Forest road restricted

Sugarloaf Road at milepost 204 will be closed, restricting access to the Tonto National Forest road from State Route 87, from 5 a.m. Monday (Jan. 24) to 6 p.m. Friday (Jan. 28). Milepost 204 is about eight (8) miles north of the Bush Highway, and approximately 18 miles north of Shea Boulevard and Fountain Hills. Construction crews require access to the area in conjunction with the SR 87 reconstruction and erosion control project. To learn more about this project, please visit http://www.valleyfreeways.com/Highways/ ... /index.asp. For information about other restrictions or closures on SR 87 that might impact your travel, visit http://www.valleyfreeways.com/Highways/ ... ctions.asp.

[joe bartels]

Brief closures planned on SR 87 this week (Feb 2nd & 3rd) for construction activity

PHOENIX - Motorists traveling between the Valley and Payson should expect brief closures this week on State Route 87 because of construction-related activity. The roadway will be closed in both directions near milepost 205 at 11 a.m. Wednesday (Feb. 2) and 1 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 3). Each closure is expected to last no more than 30 minutes. Milepost 205 is located about nine (9) miles north of the Bush Highway and 19 miles north of Shea Boulevard.

This construction is part of the on-going roadway improvement and erosion control project on SR 87 between mileposts 204.3 and 213.0, approximately halfway between metro Phoenix and Payson. The project is designed to improve SR 87 by repairing slopes and ditches, reinforcing embankments and other roadway improvements.

For more information about other restrictions on SR 87 between the Valley and Payson, visit: http://www.valleyfreeways.com/Highways/ ... ctions.asp

To learn more about this construction project, visit:

http://www.valleyfreeways.com/Highways/ ... /index.asp

[joe bartels]

North and Southbound State Route 87 Closed Temporarily This Week (Feb 8-10th 2011) Near Milepost 205

PHOENIX - Motorists driving between the Valley and Payson area this week should expect temporary closures of State Route 87 near milepost 205 because of construction-related activity. Closures are planned as follows:

11 a.m. Tuesday (Feb. 8th)

1 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 9)

11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 10)

Milepost 205 is six miles north of the Bush Highway, and approximately 16 miles north of Shea Boulevard and Fountain Hills. Each closure is expected to last no more than 30 minutes. Please drive with caution in the work zone, obey all speed limits and watch for flaggers.

For more information about closures or restrictions on SR 87 because of the on-going roadway improvements and erosion control project, visit: http://www.valleyfreeways.com/Highways/ ... ctions.asp.

To learn more about this project, go to: http://www.valleyfreeways.com/Highways/ ... /index.asp.

[joe bartels]

TEMPORARY CLOSURES ON STATE ROUTE 87 PLANNED FEB. 14 TO FEB. 18

North and southbound travel restricted near milepost 205 for construction-related activity

PHOENIX - Motorists traveling between Metro Phoenix and the Payson area should watch for daily north- and southbound closures on State Route 87 at milepost 205 beginning Monday (Feb. 14). Each closure is expected to last no more than 30 minutes.

The schedule is as follows:

11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday (Feb. 14)
11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 15)
11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 16)
11 a.m. Thursday (Feb. 17)
11 a.m. Friday (Feb. 18)
Milepost 205 is about six (6) miles north of Bush Highway and approximately 16 miles north of Shea Boulevard and Fountain Hills.

For information about other closures or restrictions on SR 87, go to: http://www.valleyfreeways.org/Highways/ ... ctions.asp

For information about this project, please visit: http://www.valleyfreeways.org/Highways/ ... /index.asp

[joe bartels]

Northbound Loop 101 in West Valley to close tonight
Work on southbound Loop 101 to finish early
PHOENIX - This weekend's rain forced a slight change in freeway construction restrictions in the West Valley. Northbound Loop 101 is now scheduled to close at approximately 10 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 19) between Glendale Avenue and Bell Road for HOV lane construction. Northbound freeway is expected to reopen in time for the Monday morning rush hour.

Also, there's good news for drivers who use southbound Loop 101 in the same area. Despite today's inclement weather, southbound Loop 101 between Bell Road and Glendale Avenue, is now expected to open by early Sunday morning (Feb. 20) ahead of schedule.

Weather affecting HOV work on Loop 101 in West Valley
PHOENIX - Weekend rain has not stopped construction work on Loop 101 in the West Valley, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. At last check, Loop 101 was closed in both directions between Bell Road and Bethany Home Road in the Glendale area for HOV lane construction. The freeway is scheduled to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday (Feb. 21).

Due to inclement weather there is a chance that work will not be completed on the northbound section of Loop 101. Crews will likely return in a following weekend to complete work to establish the median work zone. While Loop 101 is closed, traffic is being detoured along 75th Avenue. Drivers are encouraged to consider other routes, including I-17 and State Route 51 as alternate northbound freeways.

ADOT will continue to update Valley drivers as work progresses.

[joe bartels]

Temporary Sugarloaf Road closure begins Monday (Feb. 28)

Sugarloaf Road, located just west of State Route 87 at milepost 204, will be closed from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily for construction-related activity Monday (Feb. 28) through Thursday (March 3).

[joe bartels]

Both directions of SR 87 to be shut down

Roadway closures are expected near Milepost 205 starting next week for road-widening project. The closures will happen:

- Monday (Feb. 28) at 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
- Tuesday (March 1) through Thursday (March 3) at 11:30 a.m.

Northbound and southbound lanes of SR 87 will be shut down during these times. Milepost 205 is 6 miles north of Bush Highway and approximately 16.5 miles north of Shea Blvd. in Fountain Hills.

[joe bartels]

Temporary restrictions at MP 204 and 205 March 8th & 10th
Expect temporary closures on north- and southbound SR 87 at Mileposts 204 and 205 Tuesday (March 8th) and Thursday (March 10th) at 11 a.m. because of construction activity. Each closure is expected to last no more than 30 minutes.

Click here for more information about construction-related closures or restrictions on SR 87.

[joe bartels]

Public Hearings Set on ADOT's Tentative Five-Year Program

The Arizona Department of Transportation uses a well-defined cyclical process to determine the most-needed transportation improvements and when it’s feasible to build them. We care about your participation, your comments, thoughts, ideas, and suggestions concerning transportation in Arizona.

Each year, ADOT works with planning partners statewide to develop a Five-Year Program that lists how we will invest state and federal funds over the coming five years. Projects scheduled during the first two years have committed funding behind them, and projects listed in years three, four, and five are illustrative of investments planned beyond committed funding.

The state Transportation Board recently adopted the tentative Five-Year Program, and three public hearings are scheduled so citizens can comment before the program is finalized:

9 a.m., Friday, March 18, 2011, Sahuarita
Town of Sahuarita Council Chambers
375 W. Sahuarita Center Way
Sahaurita, AZ 85629

9 a.m., Friday, April 15, 2011, Phoenix
Arizona Department of Transportation
Auditorium 206 S. 17th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ. 85007

9 a.m., Friday, May 20, 2011, Flagstaff
City of Flagstaff Council Chambers
211 W. Aspen Ave.
Flagstaff, AZ 86001

The State Transportation Board considers all written and spoken comments before adopting the tentative Five-Year Program in final form. Transportation affects all of us. Don’t miss these opportunities to share your views.

For more information please email fiveyearprogram@azdot.gov.

[joe bartels]

I-10 traffic switch next week at bridge west of Phoenix
PHOENIX - Interstate 10 traffic will be switched from one bridge to the other at the Hassayampa River crossing, approximately 10 miles west of the State Route 85 junction, midday Wednesday (March 16) using a brief rolling closure to allow for the new crossover to be opened to vehicles.
Once the switch is complete, traffic will remain limited narrowed to one lane in each direction on the newly refurbished westbound I-10 bridge while crews work to upgrade the deck of the eastbound bridge through the summer.
There is good news for drivers heading to California this weekend (March 12-13). Westbound I-10 will temporarily be open to two lanes from approximately 4 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Monday (March 14) as crews prepare to make the traffic switch next week.

[joe bartels]

Expect temporary closures on north and southbound SR 87 next week

Motorists traveling between the metro-Phoenix area and Payson should expect closures on State Route 87, about six miles north of the Bush Highway, Monday (March 14) and Wednesday (March 16).

[joe bartels]

in case you have been living in a cave the past couple days...

Major winter storm to impact travel this weekend
ADOT urges drivers to use extreme caution, be aware of driving conditions

PHOENIX — A major winter storm could impact travel this weekend across the state, particularly in northern Arizona. The Arizona Department of Transportation advises travelers to carefully monitor weather and road conditions, which are expected to steadily decline as heavy snow and windy conditions are forecast in the higher elevations.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Saturday (March 17) through Monday (March 19) for northern Arizona. Significant snow (up to 12 inches above 5,000 feet in elevation) and ice accumulations, along with strong gusty winds, could make travel difficult.

A high wind advisory has also been declared for the northwest corner of the state, beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday until midnight. Strong southwest winds from 30-40 mph are expected, including gusts up to 60 mph. Strong crosswinds could make travel difficult, particularly on Interstate 40, Interstate 15 and U.S. 93.
In southwest Arizona, a wind advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. Saturday until 11 p.m. Strong southwest winds from 25-35 mph are expected with gusts up to 50 mph. ADOT urges drivers traveling on Interstate 10 near Quartzsite and Interstate 8 near Yuma to take extra precaution as strong winds can result in sudden periods of limited or zero visibility due to blowing dust, especially in desert areas.
Central Arizona, including the Phoenix metropolitan area, is also predicted to get a significant amount of rainfall, which could create slippery driving conditions on roads this weekend.
While ADOT is prepared to keep the roads clear and open, the agency is encouraging motorists to be prepared as well when driving in snowy and icy conditions. ADOT and the Department of Public Safety recommend the following winter driving tips:

Slow down, be patient and drive safely. Plan for extra travel time.
Be alert: ice forms on bridges first and is hard to see.
Leave approximately 500 feet between your vehicle and a snowplow.
Maintain at least a three-quarter full tank of gas.
Notify someone of your travel route, destination and projected arrival time.
Carry an emergency preparedness kit in your vehicle that includes blankets, extra clothes, a flashlight, an ice scraper, a shovel, sand for traction, a fully charged cell phone, and hazard warning lights or reflectors.
Brake slowly to avoid any panic braking or jerking the steering wheel.
Increase the distance between you and the traffic ahead.
Carry plenty of food and water and all necessary medications.
Carry tire chains, snow cables or snow tires.
Wear warm clothes to protect you during extended time periods in cold temperatures.
ADOT, along with DPS and NWS, will continue to work as a public safety team to support Arizona’s highways and drivers and will closely monitor conditions on the highways while maintaining driver safety.

Before heading out on the roads, drivers are encouraged to call 5-1-1 or log on to ADOT’s Traveler Information Center at http://www.az511.gov for the latest highway conditions around the state. Motorists should delay travel plans if possible.

[joe bartels]

Northbound Interstate 17 closed in North Phoenix for bridge installation overnight Friday (June 1)
ADOT advises drivers to plan for 18-mile detour; southbound closure scheduled for June 8

PHOENIX – Drivers who use Interstate 17 in North Phoenix should plan for the northbound lanes to be closed overnight this Friday (June 1) as crews set the spans for a new pedestrian bridge just north of Jomax Road. During the closure, drivers will use an 18-mile detour to bypass the work zone.

Northbound Interstate 17 is scheduled to be closed between Happy Valley Road and Loop 303 from 11:30 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Saturday (June 2). Drivers will exit at Happy Valley Road, travel west to Lake Pleasant Parkway, north to Loop 303 and east on Loop 303 to re-connect with I-17. Because services are limited, ADOT advises drivers to be well rested and have enough fuel in their vehicles. Read our blog to learn more!

Next week, crews will set the bridge spans over southbound I-17 and the interstate will be closed between Loop 303 and Happy Valley Road. The southbound closure is scheduled to occur from 11:30 p.m. Friday June 8 to 4 a.m. Saturday June 9. Southbound drivers will exit Loop 303 westbound to Lake Pleasant Parkway, travel southbound to Happy Valley Road and east on Happy Valley Road to re-connect with I-17.

[joe bartels]

State Route 87 Closed due to Tanker Crash
Extended Closure Expected

PHOENIX – State Route 87 is closed in both directions between Phoenix and Payson due to an oil tanker crash, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The highway closure is between the Bush Highway and the State Route 188 junction (mileposts 199-235).

ADOT crews are working to clear the road, however an extended closure is expected.

ADOT encourages drivers to avoid the area and use alternative routes. Drivers can take I-17 northbound to State Route 260 and connect to State Route 87 to avoid the road closure. Those headed up to the Show Low area should use US 60.

For the latest highway conditions across Arizona, visit ADOT’s Travel Information site at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.

[chumley]

The Beeline was reopened in both directions by 3am this morning. The tanker rollover caused the spill of emulsified asphalt, leaving a black gooey mess all over the highway. It was contained from leaking into nearby Slate Creek, allowing the cleanup to be completed by early morning.