Motorists can use I-17 and SR 179 to travel to and from Sedona and Flagstaff
Sedona AZ (May 20, 2014) – Planning to travel between Sedona and Flagstaff anytime soon? The Arizona Department of Transportation recommends motorists to plan ahead for potential delays.
Beginning on Tuesday, May 27, the three-mile switchbacks section of State Route 89A, located midway between Sedona and Flagstaff, will be closed for up to five weeks for paving and rockfall containment. This construction is located approximately 13 miles north of Sedona, and involves extensive repairs to the area between Pine Flats Campground and Vista Point Overlook.
During the closure of the construction zone (May 27-July 2), the recommended detour from Sedona to Flagstaff will be to take State Route 179 to Interstate 17. The detour could add up to an extra half hour of travel time for motorists commuting between Sedona and Flagstaff.
All of Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon businesses and area attractions, including Slide Rock State Park and Pine Flats Campground, will remain open and accessible while ADOT completes work on this narrow and winding switchbacks section of SR 89A (mileposts 387-390).
It will be business as usual for these businesses and attractions in the Coconino National Forest because the project is located north of these popular destinations and will not impede access to any business, campground or tourist spot. In addition, the Vista Point Overlook, which is at the northern end of the project, will also remain open and accessible, but motorists will need to enter this scenic area by traveling to Flagstaff and then by continuing southbound on SR 89A.
Signage and digital message boards are currently being used on the approach to the switchbacks to inform traffic of the upcoming closure. Additional signage will be added when the closure starts to ensure traffic is properly detoured via SR 179 and I-17.
The time frame for the full closure from May 27 to July 2 was chosen because it’s the most favorable time to apply the new pavement, which is extremely temperature sensitive, and to complete construction before the monsoon season when rain can delay the paving process.
By providing crews full access and around-the-clock opportunities to work in the construction site, repairs can be completed in a shorter time frame and the roadway can be opened more quickly to resume normal operations. In addition, the full closure of SR 89A will allow ADOT to maintain access for emergency responders, at all times, which is especially critical during wildfire season.
For more information on the project, please visit the project Web page at azdot.gov/SR89A.