Daily Archives: May 26, 2021

ADOT: Drivers should focus on safety for Memorial Day road trips

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PHOENIX – Drivers who are planning road trips over the Memorial Day weekend should prepare ahead of time for hot weather in areas, stay alert and bring along essential items in case of an unscheduled stop in traffic.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is not scheduling any full construction or maintenance closures along state highways from Friday afternoon, May 28, through Monday night, May 31, to limit impacts on holiday weekend travel.

Drivers should allow extra time, especially during peak travel periods, and be prepared for unscheduled highway closures due to crashes, disabled vehicles or other incidents such as wildfires.

While no full construction closures are scheduled over the three-day weekend, drivers should prepare to slow down and merge safely when approaching and traveling through existing work zones.

Motorists also should pack extra drinking water and other items including blankets, a first aid kit, flashlight, extra batteries, a fully charged cell phone and charger, healthy snacks, baby diapers if necessary and a small tool kit.

Since travel delays are possible, don’t forget an adequate amount of prescription medicines. A hat, sunglasses and umbrella – to help with rain or shade – also are good items to remember.

Be prepared for changing weather conditions, including blowing dust. ADOT’s holiday weekend safe driving recommendations include:

  • Never drive while impaired. Buckle up and obey speed limits
  • Arrange for a designated driver or ride service if necessary
  • Check your vehicle, including tire pressure
  • Get some rest before traveling. Fatigue is a serious safety risk
  • Avoid distractions. Don’t text while driving
  • Don’t park in areas with grasses and brush. Hot vehicle components could start a fire

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov. ADOT also provides highway condition updates via its Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT. When a highway closure or other major traffic event occurs, our free app available at ADOTAlerts.com will send critical information directly to app users in affected areas – where possible, in advance of alternate routes.

Plan for overnight lane restrictions on Interstate 40 in Flagstaff May 27-28

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FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers who travel Interstate 40 in Flagstaff to plan for overnight lane restrictions while ADOT crews begin pavement preservation work.

The following restrictions will occur from 8 p.m. Thursday, May 27, to 5 a.m. Friday, May 28:

  • Eastbound I-40 will be narrowed to one lane at the junction with I-17 between mileposts 195 and 196.
  • Law enforcement may be on site to assist with traffic control.
  • A 16-foot vehicle-width restriction will be in place.

ADOT advises drivers to slow down and use caution around personnel and equipment while pavement repairs are underway.

Since 2016, ADOT has replaced about 90 miles of pavement and repaired, upgraded or replaced 35 bridges along I-40.

Help stop the spread of harmful invasive species

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PHOENIX — Did you know that invasive quagga mussels cause millions of dollars in damage to boat motors, docks and water intake systems? 

Or that unwanted turtles, tortoises, and other pets illegally released into the wild can hurt our native species by introducing disease or outcompeting them for habitat and food?

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is participating in National Invasive Species Awareness Week, which runs through Saturday. The nationwide event aims to educate the public about the harmful impact of invasive animals, plants and other organisms. During the week, AZGFD will post information highlighting some of the invasive species in Arizona, and how people can help slow their spread.

“Invasive species don’t respect boundaries, which makes them a continent-wide problem that starts at home,” said Sabra Tonn, heritage data management system supervisor. “The good news is that we can all play a part in helping stop their spread.”

AZGFD and the North American Invasive Species Management Association encourage people to help in the following ways:
  • Learn about invasive species, especially those found in this region. AZGFD’s website and the National Invasive Species Information Center are both resources.
  • Boaters and anglers should remember to clean, drain and dry your boat (and leave the plug out) before moving to another water. This helps stop the spread of quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species. It’s not just a good practice, it’s the law. www.azgfd.gov/AIS
  • Anglers should clean and dry their gear. Don’t forget to clean those wading boots. Never transport live fish from one body of water to another. StopAIS.org
  • Don’t release pets into the wild. It is illegal for pet owners who no longer wish to care for their exotic pets to release them into the wild, or dump their aquariums into bodies of water, potentially harming local ecosystems. DontLetItLoose.com
  • Land recreationists should clean their hiking boots, off-road vehicles and other gear to stop invasive species from hitching a ride to a new location. PlayCleanGo.org
  • Campers should not move firewood. Instead, buy it where you’ll burn it, or gather on site when permitted. DontMoveFirewood.org
  • Slow the spread of invasive pests by taking extra care when traveling, gardening or moving recently killed plant material. Buy plants from a reputable source, and avoid using invasive plant species. HungryPests.com
  • Buy forage, hay, mulch and soil that are certified as “weed free.” 
  • Be a Citizen Scientist and report observations of invasive species at imapinvasives.natureserve.org.
“Everyone can do something to help prevent invasive species from impacting our natural environments,” Tonn said.

For more information about National Invasive Species Awareness Week, visit www.nisaw.org.

Kaibab National Forest considers new fiber optic line to support rural communities

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ASH FORK/PAULDEN — The Kaibab National Forest (KNF) is considering authorization of a new fiber optic line between Paulden and Ash Fork, Arizona. Arcadian Infracom 1, LLC has proposed the installation of a high-capacity fiber optic line to create new connectivity for Tribal and rural communities to major metropolitan areas, providing these communities with access to sufficient bandwidth to enable data intensive applications which will benefit public education, healthcare, and economic development.

The southern terminus of the fiber optic line would be located near Paulden and follow the east side of the Arizona Department of Transportation right-of-way for Highway 89 to the vicinity of the Ash Fork. Approximately 50,579 feet (9.58 miles) of the project is proposed to run through the Kaibab National Forest in the Williams Ranger District. The remainder of the line would be on the Prescott National Forest, as well as small sections of state and private lands. The total disturbance on the Kaibab National Forest would be a temporary right-of-way of 17.4 acres (15’ wide x 9.58 miles) for construction, with a permanent right-of-way totaling 11.6 acres (10’ wide x 9.58 miles).

Additional information about the project, including a map, can be found at http://bit.ly/PauldenAshforkFiberOpticPA.

Acting District Ranger Andy Kelher invites public comment about the proposed fiber optic line, and is considering use of this categorical exclusion to authorize the project on the national forest: Additional construction or reconstruction of existing telephone or utility lines in a designated corridor (36 CFR 220.6(e)(2)). If interested, please submit your written comments by June 9, 2021, by email to comments-southwestern-kaibab@usda.gov, mail to 800 South 6th Street, Williams, AZ 86046, or fax to 928-635-8208. For questions, contact Andy Kelher at andrew.kelher@usda.gov or 928-635-8230.