As a reminder to Sedona area residents and weekend visitors, access to Oak Creek Canyon is closed due to rockfall mitigation.

Keeping Sedona residents informed, the Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers that State Route 89A north of uptown Sedona is scheduled to remain closed around the clock until Saturday, Dec. 16, as construction crews perform critical clean-up work after recent blasting for rockfall mitigation.

Safety of the drivers is a key reason for the extended closure of SR 89A between the Owenby Way roundabout and the Midgley Bridge picnic area, from mileposts 375 to 376, according to ADOR.

If drivers need to access points in Oak Creek Canyon, they will have to travel north to John Wesley Powell Blvd. in Flagstaff and then head south on State Route 89A into the canyon from the north.

While construction crews are expediting efforts to remove the loose rock on the canyon wall and clear the roadway, the highway closure is scheduled until 6 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. These operations need to be completed to create safer conditions along SR 89A.

Drivers should continue to plan extra travel time while using State Route 179 and Interstate 17 as a detour route for travel between Sedona and Flagstaff.