The countdown is on until a pair of construction projects will require motorists to expect delays when driving through Uptown and Oak Creek Canyon.
The Arizona Department of Transportation announced in January a repaving project has been scheduled to replace asphalt damaged by Mother Nature and day-to-day use.
“The schedule is to advertise the project in the next couple of weeks with an expected start in mid-August,” ADOT spokesman Ryan Harding said this week. “It’s too early to discuss what time of day the work will take place.”
Work 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. ADOT originally announced that the work would stretch to the scenic outlook, but Harding said that is not the case since that portion of
the road was 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 repaving will take place simultaneously with work in Uptown as part of Sedona in Motion construction. The city’s work is set to begin just after Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, with a completion in spring 2020.
“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 State Route 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. “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 State Route 89A. Options to rehabilitate or replace the existing bridge have been under evaluation since October 2006. Pumphouse Wash Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and full replacement of the bridge would harm endangered species, stream water quality and the historic nature of the bridge.
The bridge will be rehabilitated to extend its service life.
Work to rehabilitate the bridge will result in single lane closures along State Route 89A for approximately three months. One travel lane will remain open to accommodate traffic, with one lane closed. The traffic restrictions are planned 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 State Route 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. Complete but intermittent closures will be necessary. The project will take 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 to 389.
Drainage and sediment control project work is anticipated to occur in the fall 2019.
In terms of the city’s work, you can sign up for Sedona in Motion email updates at sedonaaz.gov/simnews. Read about all the projects and how they are progressing at sedonaaz.gov/sim. Text the word SIMUPTOWN to 888777.
Ron Eland can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 122 or by email at reland@larsonnewspapers.com
