Plan for overnight lane restrictions on State Route 89A in Prescott Valley and Prescott May 31-June 4

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers in the Prescott area to plan for overnight lane restrictions on State Route 89A between Fain Road (milepost 325) and State Route 89 (milepost 317) while crews complete fog seal work, which protects and extends the life of the pavement.

Motorists should allow extra travel time, be prepared to slow down and use caution around construction personnel and equipment while the following restrictions are in place:

North- and southbound SR 89A will be narrowed to one lane in each direction overnight from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, May 31 through Thursday, June 4.

With state highways essential to delivering goods and services, ADOT, its employees and its contractor partners are dedicated to delivering transportation improvement projects during the current public health situation. To learn more, please visit azdot.gov/covid-19-resource-center.

Lane closures on State Route 89A begin tomorrow in Prescott Valley

PRESCOTT VALLEY – The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for daytime lane closures and travel delays on northbound State Route 89A near Glassford Hill Road between milepost 322 and milepost 323 for pavement repair.

ADOT is scheduled to do pavement work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, Wednesday, April 24, and Thursday, April 25.

SR 89A will be narrowed to one lane (right lane closed) while work is underway. Plan for heavy delays and allow extra travel time.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

AZGFD relocates Prescott Valley bear

PHOENIX — Arizona’s bears are on the move in search for an easy meal, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds everyone to be safe by being Bear Aware

The warning comes as department officials tranquilized and safely relocated a sub-adult male bear on Sunday, April 21 in Prescott Valley. AZGFD was contacted by local police who reported that around 8 p.m. a bear was spotted in the Prescott Valley Old Town Plaza parking lot.

Two Prescott Valley officers responded and located the bear, which ran up a tree at a nearby residence. The bear remained in the tree until AZGFD wildlife managers could respond, tranquilize the bear and safely relocate it to an undisclosed location.

“It’s that time of year when bears have awoken hungry and are in search of easy food and water,” said Regional Supervisor Larry Phoenix, of AZGFD’s Kingman office. “Thankfully we were able to safely return this bear to the wild. However, that isn’t always the case as bears can become dangerous after they’ve been habituated to human sources of food and denied their next meal.”

Under department policy, wildlife officers consider the bear’s behavior, age, sex and whether it’s a threat to human safety when determining what action to take on when to relocate or lethally remove a bear.

The department spends considerable time and resources each year to remove or relocate habituated bears to minimize the risk to people. However, removing a bear does not always solve the problem as approximately half of all bears that are relocated travel great distances and return to where they were captured.

Garbage stored outside is often the most common bear attractant. A study conducted by the town of Pinetop-Lakeside in the 1990s found that homeowners that left their garbage outside had a 70-percent chance of being visited by a bear. If the residence was near a thickly wooded area or at the edge of a housing development, the chances were even higher.

Do your part to keep bears from posing a threat and needing to be removed:

  • Keep all trash inside a secured area until collection day. If that’s not possible, keep food waste in a bag in the freezer and place those in the trash as close to collection time as possible.
  • If you’ll be out of town or are a weekend visitor, ask a neighbor to place your trash out on collection day.
  • Take bird feeders down at night.
  • Keep pet food inside or remove all uneaten food.

Call 911 if you’re in a life-threatening situation with a bear. To report a bear sighting in an urban area or neighborhood, please contact your local AZGFD office or the department’s Radio Room at (623) 236-7201.
For more information, visit www.azgfd.com/Wildlife/LivingWith.

Arizona Department of Transportation and local agencies plan to improve State Route 89A corridor

PRESCOTT – The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and partnering agencies including the Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization and Yavapai County are conducting a transportation planning study along State Route 89A from State Route 89 to east of Robert Road. The purpose of the study is to identify potential transportation improvements for the next 20 years as housing and commercial developments are anticipated to increase traffic volumes in the area.

ADOT will host a public meeting regarding the study on Tuesday, December 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Town of Prescott Valley Public Library located at 7401 E. Civic Circle, Prescott Valley, Arizona, 86314. A brief presentation will start at 6:15 p.m. followed by an open-house setting that will allow participants to speak directly with ADOT representatives. The public is encouraged to attend and provide comments.

Learn more about the study at:www.azdot.gov/SR89RobertRoadStudy . If you are unable to attend the meeting but would like to comment, you can do so before Dec. 31 in the following ways:

By telephone: 855.712.8530
By email:Projects@azdot.gov
In writing: State Route 89A Study, 206 S. 17th Avenue, MD310B, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ADOT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. Persons who require a reasonable accommodation based on language or disability should contact Michele Beggs at 928.681.6054 or MBeggs@azdot.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to ensure the State has an opportunity to address the accommodation.

Possible poaching case reported by Prescott citizens

PRESCOTT VALLEY – A large mule deer buck familiar to Prescott-area residents was illegally taken this week, and thanks to the quick actions of several local residents, investigators from the Arizona Game and Fish Department are hard at work on the case. Wildlife officers responded immediately when the first reports came in Tuesday, August 29 and are continuing to gather evidence.

“We’re very grateful to everyone who called us with information regarding this case,” said Darren Tucker, field supervisor for AZGFD. “We take citizen reports very seriously and this time, it was the evidence they provided that may solve the case.”

The poached buck was one of a small band that has lived in and around the Prescott area for several years. AZGFD investigators will be canvassing residents near the kill site to gain additional evidence. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the department’s Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 352-0700, or visit www.azgfd.gov/thief, and refer to case #17-0003179. Callers may remain anonymous upon request.

AZGFD pays cash rewards to individuals whose reports of wildlife crimes lead to a conviction. Under law, callers can remain anonymous and their confidentiality is protected. Money for rewards comes from poaching fines, civil restitution by violators who commit wildlife crimes and donations.

“As we head into Labor Day weekend, we ask everyone visiting the forest to keep their eyes and ears open and report potential violations,” Tucker said. “Citizen reports often help us catch criminals and make cases that might otherwise have gone unknown or unsolved.”

Bradshaw Ranger District reports some success in Goodwin Fire

PRESCOTT – The 25,714 acre Goodwin Fire centered 14 miles south of Prescott is 44% contained as of today. The fire started June 24 at about 4 P.M. and the cause of the fire is under investigation. Some evacuations have been lifted.

Fire crews constructed a large amount of fireline yesterday in a critical part of the fire on top of Big Bug Mesa. After reviewing the day’s accomplishment, Operations Section Chief, Todd Abel, said “We are setup for success”.

Bulldozers will continue to create contingency firelines north of the fire, today, in order to protect Dewey in the event the fire moves across existing firelines.

Crews will continue mopping up where the fire burned along the SR69 side of the fire. Firefighters will also start rehabilitating firelines and removing equipment in areas where the fire has been contained. Crews will be patrolling these areas of the fire and will remain in place to protect Breezy Pine Canyon and Pine Flat.

Slightly stronger winds from the southwest are expected today. The fire continues to move very slowly into sparse vegetation located in an old fire scar. The fire only grew by 472 acres yesterday.

As of 10 a.m. this morning, evacuation orders were lifted for Blue Hills and Upper Blue Hills where power has been restored. The evacuation of Dewey/Humboldt all areas west of SR 69 south to mile post 280 has also been lifted, but west Poland Junction remains under evacuation. The Blue Hills/Upper Blue Hills area has fire suppression sprinklers that were installed by firefighters in various portions of the community. Please keep these areas clear and allow fire officials access to do their work.

SR 69 – west side from Grapevine Road north to Milepost 280, Poland Junction- west side, Pine Flat, Breezy Pines, Walker, Potato Patch, Mount Union, Mountain Pine Acres still remains under mandatory evacuation.

Although some evacuations have been lifted and roads reopened, property owners are urged to remain vigilant and monitor fire news. There is still active fire behavior, particularly in the northern portion of the fire, and conditions can change easily if impacted by high wind events. For additional information regarding evacuations and pre-evacuations please call the Yavapai County Emergency Operation Center at (928) 442-5103, 7am – 7pm.

Shoulder widening project on State Route 89A in Prescott Valley starts this week

PRESCOTT – The Arizona Department of Transportation will begin work on a nine-mile shoulder widening project this week on State Route 89A between Coyote Springs Road and Legend Hills Drive (mileposts 324 to 332) in Prescott Valley.

Drivers are encouraged to be alert for increased construction activity throughout the work zone and adhere to reduced speeds as work begins.

Work hours initially for this project are Monday through Thursday between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. through the end of the month and then construction will be a 24-hour operation towards the beginning of May.

This $2.4 million project consists of widened shoulders, resurfacing, installing new signage, drainage improvements, new pavement markings and other miscellaneous work.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

Plan for restrictions on SR 69 in Prescott Valley starting on Nov. 7

PRESCOTT VALLEY — Drivers traveling on State Route 69 next week should allow extra travel time for striping work. Lane striping is scheduled daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7, through Wednesday, Nov. 9, from State Route 169 to Mendecino Drive in Prescott Valley. Alternating lane restrictions are expected during work hours.

Crews will restripe a six-mile segment of newly repaved roadway in preparation of the winter months. The final layer of rubberized asphalt will be completed when warmer temperatures return in the spring of 2017.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction equipment and personnel.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but it’s possible that unscheduled closures or restrictions might occur because of weather or other factors. For the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 511, except while driving.

Overnight paving work starts Sunday night on SR 69 between SR 169 and Mendecino Drive in Prescott Valley

PRESCOTT VALLEY — The Arizona Department of Transportation will begin paving work on State Route 69 in Prescott Valley between State Route 169 and Mendecino Drive (mileposts 281 to 287) this Sunday (Aug. 7). Crews will begin at the State Route 169 and State Route 69 intersection and work northbound for the first week.

Work hours are Sunday through Thursday nights between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Drivers can expect a single lane restriction through the work zone during work hours. Minimal delays are expected.

This $3.8 million project consists of new asphalt, guardrail replacements, new curbs and gutters, sidewalks, sidewalks ramps, new striping and other miscellaneous work.

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.

New pavement project scheduled on SR 69 between SR 169 and Mendecino Drive in Prescott Valley

PRESCOTT VALLEY — State Route 69 in Prescott Valley between State Route 169 and Mendecino Drive (mileposts 281 to 287) will be an active work zone at night starting Sunday (July 31).

This $3.8 million project consists of new asphalt, guardrail replacements, new curbs and gutters, sidewalks, sidewalks ramps, new striping and other miscellaneous work.

Work hours are Sunday through Thursday nights between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. each day. Minimal delays are expected this coming week as crews will be working on sidewalk and other concrete structures at the intersections.

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 az511.gov or call 511.