Attention motorists: You should allow extra time when driving through Uptown and Oak Creek Canyon this summer due to projects that will take several months to complete.
The Arizona Department of Transportation announced last week a repaving project to replace asphalt damaged by Mother Nature and day-to-day use has been scheduled.
ADOT spokesman Ryan Harding said they anticipate this project starting this summer. It will stretch from the north end of Uptown to just south of the Pumphouse Wash Bridge at milepost 387, which is just before the switchbacks.
It was originally announced that the work would stretch to the scenic outlook, but Harding said that is not the case since the switchbacks were repaved less than two years ago.
“This much-needed project will provide a fix to the damage the highway has taken from snow and ice over multiple winters,” he said.
The work will take place simultaneously with work in Uptown as part of the Sedona in Motion projects.
“It will be at the same time, however, our thought was that would be better than one after the other, making the duration of impact longer,” City Engineer Andy Dickey said.
This ADOT project will also include replacing guardrail along the roadway to meet current safety standards and turnout modifications to improve safety. Work will result in single-lane closures and restrictions along 89A over the course of approximately five
months during work hours.
“Road construction is always a burden on commuters, businesses and visitors,” Sedona Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jennifer Wesselhoff said, who noted the importance of the roadway.
“It’s critical that the roadway is safe and navigable. And while road improvements are in dire need, the impact will be felt by many locals, businesses and visitors. We anticipate working closely with ADOT and business to mitigate negative impacts and will appreciate ADOT’s consideration of peak seasons and holidays.”
Other proposed ADOT projects for Oak Creek Canyon include:
- Pumphouse Wash Bridge rehabilitation
Pumphouse Wash Bridge was constructed in 1931 and is located on 89A. Options to rehabilitate or replace the existing bridge have been under evaluation since October 2006. Pumphouse Wash Bridge is a historic structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places and full replacement of the bridge would negatively impact endangered species, stream water quality and the historic nature of the bridge itself. These factors led to the determination that the bridge will be rehabilitated to extend its service life. Work to rehabilitate the bridge will result in single-lane closures along 89A for approximately three months. One travel lane will remain open to accommodate traffic, with one lane closed to allow work on the bridge deck. The traffic restrictions are planned to be during late summer and early fall of 2019. Additional work to complete the rehabilitation will occur in summer 2020 but is not expected to require lane restrictions on 89A.
- Rockfall mitigation
The rockfall mitigation project will reduce the potential of rocks falling onto the travel lanes at two locations. The first location is near Sedona city limits at milepost 375.1; the second location is located in the switchback section at milepost 389.2. Rockfall mitigation work is tentatively scheduled for fall 2020. To maintain safety during rock removal operations, complete but intermittent closures of some parts of the roadway around the rockfall areas will be necessary. The project is anticipated to take approximately three months to complete.
- Oak Creek drainage and sediment control
The erosion control project includes installing retaining walls, stabilizing slopes, increasing roadside ditch capacity and adding inlets and roadway cross-culverts to preserve deteriorating slopes and reduce sediment transport between mileposts 387.9 and 389. Drainage and sediment control project work is anticipated to occur in the fall of 2019.
