The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will begin repairing an embankment along northbound State Route (SR) 87 between Sunflower & Rye, in the Slate Creek area, on Monday, March 24th.
Winter storms that produced large amounts of rain caused an embankment & wall to fail between milepost 224 & milepost 225 on SR 87. ADOT immediately took action to limit the damage by placing temporary concrete barriers that kept soil from eroding onto the roadway.
On Monday, crews will begin placing message signs to warn motorists & will install additional concrete barriers that will separate work crews from motorists throughout the project. Lane restrictions will be kept to a minimum, but it will be necessary to narrow the northbound section to one lane. This restriction will affect drivers traveling north from the Phoenix area on SR 87 to Payson or the White Mountains . Drivers should allow for extra travel time & should proceed safely through the work zone.
Just prior to the Memorial Day weekend, crews will remove the barriers & temporarily halt work, so motorists can travel unrestricted for the holiday weekend. The project should be completed by mid June.
ADOT's Motor Vehicle Division has approved a 12-foot maximum wide load restriction for both northbound & southbound lanes beginning Monday & running through Memorial Day. This will prevent vehicles with wide loads from blocking the construction zone & slowing other motorists.
The U.S. Forest Service has partnered with ADOT to ensure proper drainage, erosion control & environmental stewardship throughout the project.
ADOT advises motorists to proceed with caution, obey all posted speed limit signs, & be alert for construction equipment & personnel.