Widening project on US 93 north of Wickenburg nears completion

The widening project on US 93, north of Wickenburg, is almost complete and crews will switch northbound traffic back onto the northbound lanes between mileposts 185 and 190, tomorrow (Nov. 20) as part of a $12 million widening project.

Crews are scheduled to fully open the southbound lanes on Monday (Nov. 23) in the late afternoon. Drivers may be stopped intermittently for up to 15 minutes during the traffic switch to provide a safe work zone for construction personnel.

ADOT began this expansion project in February to widen US 93 between State Route 71 and State Route 89 which included the reconstruction of the highway into four lanes and will be fully completed by the spring of 2016 when crews return for final paving operations.

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage. ADOT advises drivers to allow additional time to reach their destinations, and to proceed through the work zone with caution and comply with the reduced speed limit.

Route 66 is really slick

Ice is present along Route 66

Ice is present along Route 66

PARKS — If you are planning to travel Route 66 after a snow, please take care. While traveling the Mother Road is always slick, ice patches make it extremely slick.
Portion of Route 66 a mile east of Parks General Store.

Portion of Route 66 a mile east of Parks General Store.

The snow cover makes Route 66 very photogenic. A mile east of Parks you can stop and see the old portions of the road that were bypassed when Route 66 was realigned. There are several places to stop along the way, but one is missing.

The historic rest stop on the south side (left if you are traveling from Flagstaff) has been closed. You can still get in there, but the toilet facilities are gone. So are the tables, in fact.

You do not have to hold it until Williams, though. The Parks General Store is open daily in Parks along with the gas station.

Oak Hill Snow Play area is open and snowy. Restroom facilities available.

Oak Hill Snow Play area is open and snowy. Restroom facilities available.

About three miles past Parks on the south side is the Oak Hill Snow Play area. The nice thing about the Oak Hill Snow Play area after a snow is that there is… Well… Snow. Our slope report is that there is still a light covering of snow on the hill. Probably enough to get a few good runs.

Across Route 66 from the snow play area is the trail to Keyhole Sink. It is still open, but the trail, of course, has patches of snow and mud where it has melted. The Keyhole Sink trail is about a mile long to the Keyhole Sink.

First piece of historic Route 66 pie sold today

Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe photo.

Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe photo.

WILLIAMS — Anna’s Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe has a $66 piece of apple pie which benefits the Route 66 Association to assist in preservation projects for the historic highway. The first piece was sold today to Michael Rioux who is currently moving to Virginia.

Michael said that he wanted to help the community in someway. So he purchased the first piece of pie.

Pie-15-11-19-02He has, however, done much more for the community. Michael is a veteran of Afghanistan and served as the Service officer of the Matthew J. Broehm VFW post in Williams. In that capacity he has assisted veterans and their families in getting paperwork and benefits due them. He has assisted a number of homeless veterans.

His concern for the homeless does not extend to just veterans. He founded Hope For The World ministries in the mall in downtown Williams. He, and his German Shepard Bear, took in donations of food and clothing to hand out to those in need.