Joomla Sport Template

Local residents feeling a tinge of cabin fever and aching to get out of the house and travel across the state now that the weather has cleared will be able to reach a number of areas off limits last weekend due to snow and ice.

Arizona Department of Transportation officials yesterday opened one lane of State Route 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff. ADOT closed the highway during last week’s winter storm, which washed away the soil beneath segments of the pavement and eroded part of the slope next to the roadway.

ADOT Director John Halikowski said, “I recognize the importance of SR 89A to residents and businesses in the area. Snow removal is a matter of public safety and I previously directed that snow removal efforts remain at previous year’s levels. I have now approved an emergency order to repair the roadway so the highway can return to normal operation as quickly as possible.”

The southbound lane is safe for vehicles to use and is open to alternating traffic through the switchbacks to the top of Oak Creek Canyon, he said. Temporary traffic signals have been installed to allow traffic to flow in alternating directions until the pavement has been stabilized and repaired. Drivers should be prepared for delays of up to 10 minutes.

Motorists also are advised by law enforcement officials to pay close attention when driving through narrow passes, mountainous areas and low-lying creek areas in the next several weeks as Northern Arizona snow begins melting and water runoff and loose soil hazardous conditions.

Arizona Now Has Some of the Best Skiing and Snowboarding in Years

Those chomping at the bit to carve up some snow with skis or hit the jumps with snowboards can head for the slopes in at Sunrise Park Resort in Payson and Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort this weekend with fervor, according to web reports in Payson and Flagstaff.

ADOT officials this week opened SR 260 between McNary and Eagar as well as SR 273, which leads to Sunrise Ski Park. The highway was closed last week by 12-foot snow drifts and SR87 between Phoenix and Payson was closed due to a mudslide at Slate Creek, six miles north of Sunflower, according to ADOT officials .

But you don’t have to be a snow boarder or skier to take in the white stuff; spectators have plenty of options as well.

Sled dog races, winter games, ice sculpting, chili, salsa and fry-bread competitions and more are planned at the Sunrise Park Resort today.

And employees at the Flagstaff Nordic Center are inviting folks to come enjoy the gorgeous glistening snow-packed slopes this weekend at Arizona Snowbowl in Flagstaff, which received the most natural snowfall it’s seen in years!

Plans call for kicking off freestyle competitions and the 15K classic/diagonal stride ski race in the first of the series of Arizona Cup Classic competitions Sunday morning at 9 a.m. and hosting the Junior Nordic Club races in the afternoon. The Arizona Cup is Arizona's only cross country ski race series. Call 928-600-0385 form more information.

So much for snow excitement; Prescott area residents might be interested in hearing about upcoming informational meetings on SR69 and SR89 improvements underway.

ADOT Officials Return to Prescott with Highway Improvement News

Join ADOT officials to learn more about the SR 89 White Spar Road Improvements Project and ask question about what it in store from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, at the Prescott Landmark Church, 1206 White Spar Road (SR 89), in Prescott.

ADOT officials are planning to widen and repave SR 89 in Prescott from Copper Basin Road to Peterson Lane. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2011 and last approximately four months.

Project improvements will include:

• Widen and repave road between Copper Basin Road and Peterson Lane, and install bike lanes and sidewalks, which will improve movement for cyclists and pedestrians.
• Adding continuous a left turn lane between Cheery Street and Copper Basin Road.
• Installing curb and gutter, which defines the roadway, makes driveways safer and more visible, and improves drainage.

Other drainage improvements slated include building retaining walls to stabilize the road from the edges, as well adding new commercial and residential driveways.

SR 69 improvements are also planned between Sundog Ranch Road and Sunrise Boulevard In the Low-Profile Median Barrier Project.

ADOT officials rescheduled the SR 69 Low-Profile Median Barrier Project Public meeting originally scheduled Jan. 21 (cancelled due to weather conditions) from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, at the Wyndham Garden Hotel (formerly the Prescott Inn and Suites), 4499 E. State Route 69, in Prescott.

Plans call for construction to begin this spring and last approximately six months.

Project Improvements Include:

• Safety Improvements resulting from regulation of turn movements.
• Installation of a low-profile raised concrete median. Breaks in the median providing left turn access from SR 69 will be located at Baker Street (Victorian Estates), Diamond Drive, Ramada Drive, and Robin Drive.
• Installation of new traffic signals at the intersections of SR 69 and Ramada Drive, Robin Drive, and Diamond Drive.
• Application of a layer of rubberized asphalt.
• Removal and replacement of pavement markings and signs.
• Reduction of posted speed limit to 45 miles per hour.

For more information regarding these improvement projects please contact Bill Pederson, ADOT Prescott District Public Information Officer at 602.712.8069 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Get updated ADOT information about the Prescott area at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For the most current information about highway closures and restrictions statewide, visit ADOT’s Travel Information Site atwww.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed