Motorists travelling along the pivotal stretch of US 163 between Kayenta and Monument Valley can expect a safer journey, following a $3.1 million safety enhancement endeavor completed by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). The updates, outlined in a press release, include the addition of 5-foot shoulders and new rumble strips aimed at curbing the odds of crashes on this curvy portion of road.
The initiative spanned from mileposts 404 to 406, where ADOT, in partnership with the Navajo Nation, implemented wider shoulders in both directions along with fresh striping and signage; they also installed rumble strips on the center line and shoulders which serve as an auditory and vibratory warning for drivers drifting from their lanes, the project began last April and despite it took several months the ADOT made an effort to keep a single lane open on weekdays and conducted no work during weekends and holidays to minimize inconvenience for local traffic.
Resourced through Arizona's Highway Safety Improvement Program, this project underscores ADOT's commitment to ensure the well-being of Arizonans and to underpin the economy by enhancing the reliability of a transport avenue that not only connects Arizona and Utah, but also ushers a multitude of tourists to the Oljato-Monument Valley.
Travelers and residents interested in further details or who wish to stay updates on the repercussions and successes of the project can find more information on the US 163 Safety Improvements page on the ADOT website, where detailed project notes and updates are readily available.
