The State Transportation Board has earmarked $3 million dollars to mend parts of US 60 that have been battered by October's floods, affecting the stretch between Superior and the Globe-Miami area. This move comes in efforts to rebuild what nature's fury has undone, specifically targeting eroded embankments and a road system in disrepair. As per an announcement made on Thursday, work crews initiated the restoration process on October 20th, with a sense of urgency to reestablish at least two lanes for transit as quickly as possible.
However, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has issued a warning that travelers should brace for slowdowns – especially near Miami, where the highway pinches into a single-file shuffle at milepost 241. This temporary arrangement is slated to persist for the next 3 to 4 weeks, with the potential for quarter-hour delays under normal traffic, and potentially lengthier waits during busier times.
In the shadow of these repairs, another obstacle looms for drivers trekking between Phoenix and Globe. A bridge replacement project that pre-dates the floods necessitates scheduled closures of US 60 which had been set in the calendar well in advance. In a statement obtained by ADOT, the closures will unfold between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., specifically on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Motorists are encouraged to either reroute via state roads 177 and 77 through Winkelman, though it pads the journey by an additional 75 miles or plan their commute to avoid the scheduled downtime.
For those in need of more information on the Queen Creek and Waterfall Canyon Bridges Project and pertinent daytime closures, ADOT's webpage serves as a resource. Moreover, to keep a finger on the pulse of Arizona's ever-shifting highway conditions, ADOT's Arizona Traveler Information can be accessed online at az511.gov, through their mobile application available on Apple or Android devices, or by simply picking up the phone and dialing 511.
