Motorists who have eagerly awaited the reopening of a key Arizona roadway can cautiously begin to sigh relief. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is taking strides to restore limited access to a closed section of State Route 88, better known as the Apache Trail. The pathway was shut down due to severe flooding in 2019, but current groundwork could see the trail partially accessible by this summer. According to a recent update, ADOT crews are industriously clearing vegetation and reshaping the terrain to get ready for an interim fix.

The interim project is expected to directly kick off later this summer with a $4 million tag. The goal is to open an unpaved 5-mile section near Fish Creek Hill, East of Phoenix, specifically for high-clearance vehicles and utility task vehicles. To fully stabilize the roadway and avoid future disruptions requires a more robust solution. ADOT is proactively seeking federal funding for improvements estimated to run up a bill of $33.7 million. These enhancements are designed to not only broaden access but also to harden the route against tempestuous weather.

Work is underway by ADOT maintenance teams, who will toil away into the summer as contractors gear up to launch the restoration initiative. But before the interim plan can hit the ground running, the U.S. Forest Service must greenlight the project. The plan, as noted by ADOT, is to eliminate the hazards of rockfall, bolster retaining walls, install new road signs, and refurbish or replace any drainage culverts damaged by nature's rage.

Access to the stranded segment between mileposts 222-227, which has served as a pathway for hikers and other non-vehicular travelers since the flooding incident, will be restricted during the summer months when contract work is set to commence. Before its closure in 2019, this stretch of road saw an average of 232 vehicles per day, linking the East Valley and Roosevelt Lake. Notedly, the journey past Tortilla Flat to Apache Lake has been consistently available from the west, permitting safe passage to Apache Lake. ADOT has diligently worked to mend other damaged portions of SR 88 and constantly addressed areas affected by floods.

For those interested in the latest developments or seeking more details on the status of State Route 88, ADOT encourages the public to visit their dedicated webpage.