Sedona AZ (July 18, 2013) – The McGuireville rest area along Arizona Interstate 17 at milepost 298, near State Route 179 exit to Sedona, will close to the public for approximately 45 days in order to complete renovations to the rest area, advises the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Facilities on both sides of I-17 will close on Monday, July 22, 2013, so crews can renovate the water pump house and upgrade the restrooms. The project also includes the drilling of a new well and revamping the existing sewer lines.
ADOT construction project underway
The project, which began on June 3, 2013, has reached a point where the rest area needs to close in order to allow crews to finish upgrades. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate facilities either in Flagstaff or at the Sunset Point (I-17 MP 252) rest area during the closure.
Remember water is needed to operate the restroom facilities, the septic system and the drinking fountains, as well as, provide for the needs of the caretakers who live on-site. A listing of all state highway rest areas is available from the ADOT website at www.azdot.gov/CCPartnerships/News/Index.asp
Travelers must be aware that it is Arizona’s monsoon season during June through September! All drivers should be prepared for torrential monsoon rains and dust storms.
Slow down and pull aside if you lack visibility! Monsoon rains create fast flowing bodies of water! Unfortunately, monsoon related drownings happen every year – remember your car is not a boat, it won’t float!
Do you know what to do when a dust storm is approaching from a distance? At the end of this article make time to watch the video link provided, Pull Aside, Stay Alive, for important haboob driving tips. You will see horrendous accidents involving drivers who did not understand the dangers of driving in a dust storm.
Now for a few driving tips:
- Avoid driving into or through a dust storm.
- If you encounter a dust storm, immediately check traffic around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down.
- Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway — do it as soon as possible. Completely exit the highway if you can.
Haboob is a name that denotes a severe dust storm common to Arizona and the Middle East
- Do not stop in a travel lane or in the emergency lane. Look for a safe place to pull completely off the paved portion of the roadway.
- Turn off all vehicle lights, including your emergency flashers.
- Set your emergency brake and take your foot off the brake.
- Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelts buckled and wait for the storm to pass.
- Drivers of high-profile vehicles should be especially aware of changing weather conditions and travel at reduced speeds.
Now here’s the Pull Aside, Stay Alive video that you should watch and share with others … http://www.pullasidestayalive.org/ . Be safe out there and use excellent driving skills every time you get behind the wheel of a moving vehicle!
For the best in Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!
Improvements on State Route 89 in Chino Valley switch directions this week – Southbound narrowed to one lane for up to six weeks
For the past three months, crews have been working on the northbound side of State Route 89 in Chino Valley as part of an overall improvement project. Starting today, July 22, efforts to construct the southbound sidewalk will begin.
From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, southbound SR 89 will be narrowed to one lane through the work zone for the next three months.
The project consists of landscape enhancements and a new sidewalk along the roadway between Road 4 South and Center Street. The $692,000 project is scheduled for completion this fall.
For more information, email projects@azdot.gov or call the ADOT project hotline at 1-855-712-8530. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at http://www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.
Overnight closures continue on Interstate 17 south of Camp Verde – One-hour closures expected on I-17 in both directions between midnight and 3 a.m.
Overnight work on the Interstate 17 climbing lane project south of Camp Verde requires two, one-hour closures in both directions several nights this week between midnight and 3 a.m.
The work will occur overnight tonight; Tuesday, July 23; and Wednesday, July 24 as crews continue blasting along the highway.
Each night, the first closure will be from midnight to 1 a.m. and the second closure will be 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. Northbound I-17 will be stopped at State Route 169 and southbound I-17 traffic will be stopped at General Crook Trail until the work is completed and the roadway is reopened.
In addition to the full closures, drivers can expect single-lane restrictions in both directions through the work zone between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Monday night through Friday morning. During construction, bicyclists are not permitted through the project work zone as the shoulders along I-17 are closed.
ADOT advises drivers to allow additional time to reach their destinations and to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.