For those planning to traverse the stunning landscapes south of Flagstaff via State Route 89A, prepare for a longer journey. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is in the thick of a rockfall mitigation project at the switchbacks in Oak Creek Canyon. This essential safety project will induce traffic to a crawl, as the highway is currently restricted to a single alternating lane for the travel-hungry public.
Ongoing since a rockslide in March last year, the project necessitates both lane restrictions and occasional full-blown closures. Motorists are to expect delays, particularly north of the Pine Flat Campground or south of the Oak Creek Vista scenic overlook. An article by ADOT advises adding extra travel time to your itinerary when navigating these parts.
For those unavoidable times when SR 89A closures are a reality, a detour plan is in ready. ADOT recommends drivers in the Flagstaff area to find their way via southbound I-17 to northbound SR 179 if heading to Sedona or Oak Creek Canyon. Conversely, northbound traffic near Sedona should snake along southbound SR 179 to catch northbound I-17 to reach Flagstaff. These detour routes will become a familiar landscape as the project is not expected to wrap until the fall.
A 10 foot vehicle-width restriction stands staunch in the work zone. Mindful of the potential for emergency events, including wildfires, ADOT and the project contractor are in close collaboration with local and regional safety agencies. This partnership ensures that emergency vehicle access is maintained and that a response plan is in place, which traffic updates available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, through the azhelp app, or by simply dialing 511.
