Construction on State Route 260 between Cottonwood and Camp Verde was supposed finish by the winter.
However, an unusually wet fall, including rain from Hurricane Rosa, led to the Arizona Department of Transportation putting a halt on the final steps of the project in November.
Though the road has successfully been widened to two lanes in each direction, the last layer of paving was postponed, since work crews require surface temperatures above 85 degrees to add the smooth top layer of asphalt.
In a press release on Thursday, April 4, ADOT announced the process of paving the last layer would begin this month.
“Starting April 17, crews will begin laying the final layer of asphalt along the widened 9-mile stretch of SR 260. Paving will take about two weeks and require lane closures in each direction while crews work,” ADOT stated. “After paving is complete, crews will add permanent lane stripes, rumble strips and pavement reflectors. In all, the work is expected to take about six weeks.”
An ADOT spokesperson confirmed that, during the work, SR 260 would be limited to one lane in each direction. The delay is not expected to lead to extra costs for the $62 million project.
“The widening project also added a multiuse path between Wilshire [Blvd.] and Cherry Creek Road and a new bridge over Cherry Creek,” ADOT wrote in its press release.
Jon Hecht can be reached at 634-8551 or email jhecht@larsonnewspapers.com
