Commuters, take note: a stretch of State Route 89A just got harder to navigate. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), starting June 3, the winding path through Oak Creek Canyon will be hit by roadblocks – quite literally – due to a rockfall mitigation safety project.
The closures will snatch up daytime hours, setting up shop from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday of that week. The slice of road running from the Pine Flat Campground to the Oak Creek Vista scenic overlook – that’s between mileposts 387-390 for those mapping it out – will be a no-go zone. Off hours, a sliver of hope: SR 89A will be limping along with a single open lane, dictatorially dictated by temporary traffic signals, managing the one-way flow. Delays are a given, so patrons of the road, brace for a longer haul.
Make no mistake, detours are the game. "When SR 89A closures are in place, drivers in the Flagstaff area should plan on using southbound I-17 to northbound SR 179 to reach Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon," ADOT's statement reads. Those coursing North from Sedona will trace their path back through SR 179 to I-17, in a mirrored maneuver to hit Flagstaff.
ADOT's dance with the cliffs is a waltz set to last until the curtain of August swings shut. The closures, they’re the result of a rockslide back in March, a reminder of nature's indifferent hand reshaping our manmade mazes. A 10-foot limit for vehicle width has been set, adding a straitjacket for good measure, ensuring only the leanest of machines make it through. Coordination with safety agencies remains tight, especially with wildfire season, a guest that overstays its welcome, potentially knocking on our door.
To keep a pulse on the artery that is SR 89A, ADOT prescribes a visit to their Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, the companion az511 app or the trusty call-in to 511. Real-time updates will be dispatched, providing a lifeline for route planners and timekeepers alike.
