Tag Archives: Sunflower

Good news for State Route 87 motorists traveling during Memorial Day weekend

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PHOENIX — Just in time for the busy Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Arizona Department of Transportation lifted all traffic restrictions along State Route 87 today, Thursday, May 21 as the agency nears completion of a safety improvement project approximately 10 miles north of Sunflower near the Maricopa/Gila County line.

Since construction started in October, motorists traveling between Phoenix and Payson have encountered a series of traffic restrictions related to a $6.2 million project to reconstruct an existing curve to make it easier for vehicles to navigate through at milepost 227, as well as building a new northbound truck escape ramp at milepost 228.

In addition to all four lanes (two in each direction) being reopened through the work zone, all wide load restrictions were removed permanently as well.

The project also includes slope excavation and reconstruction, drainage improvements, new signage and new concrete barrier installation.

The new runaway truck escape ramp will offer an opportunity for out-of-control trucks, which may have inoperable brakes, to safely exit the highway and come to a controlled stop. The truck escape ramp is scheduled to open next month, but there will not be an impact to the traveling public as the remaining work on that project will be completed away from the four-lane highway.

Beginning Tuesday, May 26, drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions in both directions for miscellaneous work through the end of June.

Traffic shifted tomorrow on SR 87 north of Sunflower

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PHOENIX — Drivers traveling between Phoenix and Payson this month on State Route 87 north of Sunflower will be shifted onto the northbound lanes starting Thursday, April 9 between mileposts 223 and 229. Delays of up to 25 minutes are possible.

Traffic in both directions will use the northbound lanes which will become a two-lane roadway through the work zone and a 10-foot width restriction will be in place through April 24.

For the past few weeks, crews have been working 24-hour days, six days a week (Monday through Saturday) to ensure the project will be done before the Memorial Day weekend.

Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time to reach their destinations and proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel. The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage.

The $6.2 million safety improvement project, which began in October, approximately seven miles south of the State Route 188 junction, includes the reconstruction of an existing curve at milepost 227, as well as building a new northbound truck escape ramp at milepost 228.

Work will be day and night on State Route 87 through the end of April

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Drivers heading northbound on State Route 87 today north of Sunflower between mileposts 223 and 229 will be shifted onto a single lane of the southbound lanes, which will become a two-lane roadway through the work zone. The traffic shift will be in effect through Wednesday, April 1 to allow crews to mill and pave the northbound lanes. Drivers northbound will be intermittently stopped starting at 5 p.m. tonight as crews relocate concrete barrier and allow for the scheduled traffic shift. Delays of up to 15 minutes are expected.

Starting today, crews will work on a 24-hour, six days a week (Monday through Saturday) schedule through April 20 to ensure the project will be done before the Memorial Day weekend. With the exception of this weekend, crews will be working today through April 1 (Friday through Wednesday).

On April 2, the traffic will be back to one lane in each direction. As work continues, a 10-foot width restriction will be in place through April 20. Project completion is expected to be open May 15.

Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time to reach their destinations and proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel. The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage.

The $6.2 million safety improvement project, which began in October, approximately seven miles south of the State Route 188 junction, includes the reconstruction of an existing curve at milepost 227, as well as building a new northbound truck escape ramp at milepost 228. Runaway truck ramps offer an opportunity for out-of-control trucks, which may have inoperable brakes, to safely exit the highway and come to a controlled stop.

Work continues on State Route 87 north of Sunflower

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Crews continue to make progress on a safety improvement project on State Route 87 between Payson and Phoenix, approximately seven miles north of Sunflower. For the next two months, drivers need to be aware of daytime and nighttime restrictions between mileposts 221 and 228.

Northbound traffic on SR 87 will be narrowed to one lane and a 10-foot width restriction will be in effect until project completion in mid-May 2015.

In addition, northbound SR 87 will be closed through the work zone between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. Sunday night through Friday mornings for the next two months. Northbound drivers will be shifted to southbound SR 87, which will become a two-way roadway with one lane in each direction. Drivers will be guided through the work zone with the aid of a pilot car with delays of up to 30 minutes.

Some intermittent lane restrictions are possible on southbound SR 87 during daytime work hours. Minimal delays expected.

Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time to reach their destinations. 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, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.