It seems as though Arizona has three seasons: Winter, monsoon and construction season. The Arizona Department of Transportation is planning to start road work on State Route 89A in
Oak Creek Canyon on Sunday, Oct. 6. Compounded with ADOT’s work is the city of Sedona’s construction work related to the Sedona in Motion projects in Uptown.
The heavily trafficked road sees millions of tourist vehicles and hundreds of thousands of commuting cars between Flagstaff and Sedona ever year, which takes a toll on the two-lane highway.
The wide range of temperatures between the hot summer and the snowy winter erodes the surface of the road more than other stretches of blacktop in the Verde Valley.
It’s not just wear and tear from rubber tires. Add to those wheels the drivers who spin off and on the highway from Indian Gardens to the switchbacks, looking for a parking spot just off the road, eroding the edges of the asphalt and dragging rocks, tree material and debris back on the road to be struck or dragged by other drivers and ground into the blacktop, chipping away at weak points and cracks and crevasses, creating potholes over time. Last year, ADOT conducted a chip seal along the road from Sedona through the canyon, but such minor repairs can only fix so much before a major
overhaul is needed again.
The last such work was conducted in 2015 but four years later, the work is needed again. The roadwork is set to run from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday. While this will limit the work daytime drivers will see, the construction will be completed piecemeal over time. Regular commuters and canyon residents know that any roadwork in the canyon can create delays that stretch for miles and hours, especially on Fridays and weekends, when the regular traffic is compounded by tourists visiting the canyon.
Fortunately, we are past the hottest parts of the summer when Phoenicians and Tucsonans escape the heat by the thousands and visit the cool waters of Oak Creek. However, due to the lack of a monsoon this year, we are in for a warm fall meaning these visits from our neighbors in the state are not yet over. Fewer will be getting in the creek as water temperatures drop, but they’ll still be coming to hike and explore the canyon.
There are no major holidays until Thanksgiving — although there may be a slight spike in traffic on Columbus Day as many schools in Arizona are closed and parents may want to take their kids on a short day trip somewhere in the state — so we should be able to avoid the logjam we had over Labor Day weekend when drivers in the canyon were stuck for more than an hour, as late as 8 p.m., as they tried to re-enter Uptown from the canyon. No matter what time of day drivers make the commute, be extra careful to avoid construction vehicles that may be parked just off the roadway and portions of the road that will be half complete as vehicles pass over.
ADOT crews will also be removing 708 trees along the roadway, some of which are quite large, so there may be flatbeds with lumber aboard navigating the curves and turns of State Route 89A.
The road is not ideal for semi-trucks, so be careful around turns as these vehicles may encroach on the other lane. Crews will also be replacing or installing better safety barriers along the highway to protect drivers in case of a serious accident.
For Sedona workers who live in Flagstaff or Sedona residents who work in Flagstaff or commute to Northern Arizona University or Coconino Community College, plan extra time to make the drive as the changing nature of the roadwork may create bottlenecks at various points in the canyon over the next few months. The work will be over in a few months and should keep the road functional until we have to do it all again four years from now.
Christopher Fox Graham – Managing Editor
