Rim Country Gazette: Construction projects impact 260, 87 travel

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Construction projects impact 260, 87 travel

Traffic to be shifted to new eastbound lanes on State Route 260 at Doubtful Canyon next week

Delays up to 30 minutes starting 5 p.m. Wednesday

As progress continues on the State Route 260 Doubtful Canyon widening project east of Payson, eastbound and westbound drivers will begin using the newly paved eastbound lanes by 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. The roadway will be narrowed to one lane at milepost 271 from 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept 5 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6 as crews complete paving the transition to the new eastbound lanes.

Motorists can expect delays of up to 30 minutes as a pilot car and flaggers guide traffic through the work zone in alternating directions.

The project will transform three miles of SR 260 from a two-lane road to a four-lane divided highway between the previously improved Kohl's Ranch and Christopher Creek segments. The widening of SR 260 at Doubtful Canyon is the fifth of six projects planned to improve the highway from Star Valley to the Mogollon Rim.

The $29 million widening project is scheduled to be completed by late spring 2013. Five of the six new bridges are complete and work will start on the final bridge on westbound SR 260 over Doubtful Canyon after traffic has been shifted to the new lanes.

Work on the project will be suspended during the winter months as temperatures will be too low to allow rubberized asphalt paving and concrete work.

Drivers should adjust their travel schedules and allow extra time to reach their destinations. Message boards, temporary barricades, and signage will guide drivers through the work zone. ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.

For more information about this project, please visit www.azdot.gov/statewide or contact Tricia Lewis, Prescott District senior community relations officer, at 928.606.2420 or tlewis@azdot.gov. Visit www.facebook.com/azdot, www.twitter.com/ArizonaDOT or www.azdot.gov for more information about ADOT. For more information about ADOT projects and programs across Arizona see the agency's latest blog posts at http://adotblog.blogspot.com.

Paving on SR 87 near Sunflower continues

Delays up to 45 minutes possible Thursday

The Arizona Department of Transportation is repaving a seven-mile segment of State Route 87 north of Sunflower (mileposts 218-225). Work to complete the first layer of pavement is scheduled from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30.

The highway will be narrowed to one lane in each direction and delays of up to 45 minutes are possible. ADOT encourages drivers to allow extra travel time to reach their destinations and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

No work is scheduled Friday, Aug. 31 through Labor Day, Sept. 3.

Work to complete the final layer of pavement on the $2.7 million project is scheduled from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4 through Friday, Sept. 7. The highway will be narrowed to one lane in both directions during work hours until the paving is completed.