Travelers planning to head north from Phoenix to Payson using State Route 87 should prepare for some significant disruptions. Official information from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) indicates that from Sunday, Sept. 29, until Wednesday, Oct. 2, northbound stretches of the highway will be closed for rockslide debris removal, affecting the section between Bush Highway and SR 188.
Specifically, the closure will occur during nighttime hours from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Detours will be necessary, and ADOT suggests taking eastbound US 60 to Globe, then swinging back via westbound SR 188, or opting for northbound I-17 to eastbound SR 260 from the Camp Verde area as alternative routes, as reported by ADOT.
During periods when the northbound SR 87 is not fully closed, it will be restricted to one lane near Sunflower sufficiently widening to accommodate traffic flow. Southbound SR 87 will also face similar one-lane restrictions during this time.
For those seeking the latest updates on road conditions or any further travel advisories, ADOT's Arizona Traveler Information offers real-time data accessible via their website at az511.gov, through the az511 app, or by simply dialing 511.
