SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock
Sedona AZ (September 8, 2015) – As summer draws to a close and tides turn to redirect related monsoons, beautiful autumn is just around the corner. Frost will soon be on the pumpkins, and the aroma of Thanksgiving turkey will traditionally take a bow. With what will seem like the blink of an eye, Christmas Holidays and the beginning of a presumably Happy New Year will be upon us, bringing anticipation of hope, prosperity and well-being.
Annual changes, each offering pleasures to which we’ve become accustomed, reach out to us with inviting arms. But in Sedona it seems generally ordinary events have become bogged down by a most unwelcome intruder. Traffic, traffic, traffic – endless, unmerciful and with no hope for resolution in sight- plagues everyone week after week after week.
Even more concerning is SR179 to the “Y” and beyond – after Tlaquepaque North and the two Community Focus Areas are completed (Brewer and Schnebly Hill Roads). Then, throw in a creek walk and a park. Has any foresight been given to moving even more traffic when all of that becomes reality?
When voters approved the revised Community Plan on March 11, 2014, thirteen such CFAs were included in the plan. Although reducing traffic by working with developers and property owners to create mixed uses and walkable areas are suggested, it’s impractical to expect people to arrive at these locations for community events by hoofing it from one end of town to the other.
And how many locals can or will use a city transit system – if that is thrown back into the mix of reducing traffic?
So what will we be expected to do? Hitch up trunk size red wagons to our bicycles or plan on dragging them behind us with our groceries as we trudge – depending on where we live – five, ten, or fifteen miles on a round-trip to the market?
Options for an alternate route from VOC – as well as the Schnebly Hill route to Flagstaff – have been hashed over for years and years and the results are apparent. Neither has occurred. Many who enjoyed the low water Red Rock Crossing prior to its washout in the spring of 1978 were disappointed when it wasn’t restored, but one reason it didn’t occur was because proponents intent was to make it more like another Midgely Bridge, and subsequent land exchanges and increased development were underlying concerns.
2013 Arizona monsoon taken from iPhone atop Sedona Airport Mesa by Al Comello
It should further be noted that Red Rock Crossing and other areas that might be under consideration for an alternate route from the VOC are NOT within Sedona City Limits and therefore it won’t be a decision made solely by the Sedona City Council.
It might be well to make reference of the Red Rock/89A Corridor/Dry Creek of Yavapai County affiliates who most likely will have a good deal to say about where or if an alternate creek crossing takes place.
As for Schnebly Hill Road improvements, since the route crosses USFS land, that has been a huge detriment and will remain so. When the study was under way about deciding the fate of SR179 several new routes were considered, including the Schnebly option of extending to cut across to 89A and bypass uptown to Oak Creek Canyon and Flagstaff. Didn’t happen.
Those still complaining that four lanes into Sedona would have been a better choice are mistaken. Instead of one lane backed up at the “Y” there would be two lanes, and without the roundabouts which allow for traffic movement to be constant, although at times very slow, at least it keeps moving. With stoplights, the traffic most likely would be backed up to I-17 and that is not an exaggeration.
The traffic jam, to at least some degree, is a result of the redesign of the portion of AZ 89A owned by the City. Allowing uptown businesses to design the road was unwise, proven by the fact that cars pulling out from parking spaces now stop traffic in both directions. No, roundabouts are not the cause of the congestion in both directions entering uptown Sedona. Road design by less than ADOT experts did a lousy job – period. Even during the public design process for SR179, ADOT reps made it absolutely clear it would be their professional engineers making final calls for safety and efficiency.
Why do you suppose so many people objected to the city owning the rest of 89A in West Sedona? The thought of what the City process would end up with was terrifying.
At any rate, consideration for an alternate route from the VOC and/or Schnebly Hill Road to Flagstaff in all probability will take years for approval, if it even happens. In the meantime, for City planners and council members to remain on a fast track to implement the New Community Plan at record speed, without adequate resources and solid plans to address traffic concerns, is not only reckless but dangerous.
Living in the center of the Coconino National Forest means constant awareness of both wild fires and flooding. Recalling the evening when Cliff Hamilton, then on City Council, made a responsible presentation which put to rest with the hope once and for all the idea of a creek walk, if, for no other reason than future liability alone, it was with a sigh of relief to many of us who have witnessed, first hand, Oak Creek rising time and time again to flooding proportions. And now foolishly it’s back on the drawing board.
Previously mentioned was the flood and wash out of Red Rock Crossing in the spring of 1978. Another flood occurred on February 21, 1993. Both were dreadful events. Sycamore Cove Mobile Park was a disaster. Two former City Council Members, Charlie Crick and Sheri Graham, can relate their own first hand experiences.
The June 18, 2006, Brins Mesa Fire should have been a wake up call and, most recently, the Slide Fire in Oak Creek Canyon. Had the wind shifted direction during either of those fires, the City of Sedona literally would have been toast.
Yes, wild fires and floods in Sedona aren’t a matter of “if” but “when.”
Would Sedona City Staff, Planning & Zoning Commission and/or City Council stamp approval for a subdivision without first obtaining clearly defined accessible roads and adequate infrastructure? Of course they wouldn’t. Therefore, why were dense projects such as Community Focus Areas considered by the Revised Community Plan work groups without benefit of addressing traffic concerns prior to ever attempting to implement the projects?
Has common sense fled the scene?
Sedona AZ
All are at fault for the traffic debacle. When voters were given the opportunity to decide the future of Sedona by voting for or against adopting the November 2013 New Sedona Community Plan (Prop. 427) on March 11, 2014, a total of 6,495 ballots were mailed, Mail ballots returned but rejected totaled 37, and the number of acceptable votes came to 2,485. Of those, 1,530 voted Yes and 954 voted No.
And although the “Plan” was approved by 61.59% and rejected by 38.41%, a mere 38.26% of the total number of ballots sent out were returned. Translated, only 576 voters decided the future of Sedona!
Shame, shame, shame registered voters. Quit griping about traffic if you didn’t even bother to vote because all of you apathetic people are a huge part of the problem and not the solution.
Your fate was decided by 576 people and you allowed it to happen!
Had you been following the “Plan” as it unfolded, you might have picked up that in the visions being presented, there wasn’t any substantial method for dealing with potential increased traffic. Of course, there’s an additional $250,000 presently under consideration for yet another traffic study.
And how many similar studies have come and gone without an iota of noticeable change as a result?
Likewise, there’s no accounting for additional day trippers resulting from the City financed ad campaign with the Chamber of Commerce. Just how many drivers simply pass through Sedona on their way to and from Oak Creek Canyon, contributing nothing beneficial to the local economy unless counting vast numbers of cars can somehow factor into the Chamber’s less than comprehensive method of reporting as was previously displayed by the inability to ascertain members’ physical location in correlation with Sedona City Limits? Chalk that up as just one example.
And now, in spite of the sloppy and really reckless process, the City Council moves full speed ahead with plans for Cultural Park redevelopment, Soldier Pass, Brewer and Schnebly Hill “Community Focus Areas” just for starters.
What about the traffic, including foot traffic crossing at Tlaquepaque?
Maybe, just maybe, if dreamers would be forced to accept future liability for sure-to-happen disasters they might take a second look when making perilous decisions.
In the words of our former President John F. Kennedy, “Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.”
Read www.SedonaEye.com for daily news and interactive views!
Starting August 31, 2015, Sedona City Hall will be open for business Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and be closed on Fridays. The Municipal Court and Wastewater system maintenance will maintain a Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule. Police and maintenance services will not be impacted.
Traffic? What a concept for a tourist town. Managed traffic? What a concept for a tourist town. History? Priceless. Thanks to the Sedonaeye.com Eddie Maddock once again for shining a light on the here and now.
Great article. Thank you!
“only 576 voters decided the future of Sedona!” Is this a reflection of the citizens and businesses in the city limits not feeling welcome?
As a resident of Elmersville I appreciate the acknowledgement that a potential Oak Creek Crossing would not be within Sedona jurisdiction. Thank you also for the other article clearly defining Sedona City Limits. I am very happy to live outside the incorporated area and hope to keep it that way.
It’s disturbing that Sedona city council seems they are at liberty to take charge of the entire Verde Valley, most recently with their pursuit of a National Monument designation. Two gentlemen spoke during the public forum at the Sedona council meeting yesterday and told that council in no uncertain terms to “butt out” of making decisions outside their jurisdiction. I don’t know who they were but I applaud them for appropriately addressing the issue at the source of the problem – Sedona City Hall.
Speaking only for myself future development of the city-owned land at the sewer plant will very much have an impact on nearby residents, including Red Rock Crossing and Lower Loop Road. We are fortunate to have the “RR Crossing/89ACorridor/Dry Creek of Yavapai County” group to keep on top of this, especially with a new Yavapai County Supervisor soon to be elected there’s a lot at stake. For the moment it’s still a convenience to be able to get to Cottonwood for shopping, an option for avoiding the big-city traffic in West Sedona or worse the 179 tourist focal point.
Please let us continue to enjoy our quality of life without spreading your unwanted interference.
Was talking across the fence with the neighbor today. He had NO IDEA that there was even a National Monument in the works! I’m finding this to be the case when talking to other residents too.
Living out here the Cathedral Valley, we’re glad there’s no bridge at Red Rock Crossing because it keeps the traffic down. Plenty of tourist drive loop road and they can be a menace. There’s been more than one time that I’ve almost hit a photographer standing in the middle of the road–taking a photo behind a blind curve. There’s been more than one time that I’ve seen tourist nearly hit cars exiting the High School when the school lets out. There’s been more than one time that I’ve seen children waiting at the bus stop when a car stops to ask the kids directions. There’s been more than one time that I’ve had to stop tourist from walking through my backyard as they look for creek access.
There’s a couple of bridges that span Oak Creek from Loop Road – one at the LaMerra property (it connects to Verde Valley Road) and Cross Creek Ranch (there’s a forest service road at the back of the property that connects to Beaver Flat Rd). A new high-end subdivision is going in near Crescent Moon, Red Rock Crossing, and since they’re tearing up the forest to create access, why not make the bridge for traffic there? Because it’s a gated-community. So you see, if you’ve got a few million for the lot alone, you’ll have quick access to VOC.
Years ago going up Schnebly Road to the i17/Flagstaff was a fun adventure. You can’t get up Schnebly now without a 4-wheel drive and a kidney belt. Pave that road and you’ll likely put a couple of ATV stores out of business and/or more ATVs will be on our residential streets looking for forest access (Broken Arrow, 7 Sacred Pools, Dry Creek Road). A National Monument will put these businesses out of business period.
If Sedona were bike-friendly (meaning a bike lane on all through roads and the canyon) you not only will attract the biking tourist, but some traffic will be alleviated. If you ride your bike through uptown right now, you’re taking your life in your hands.
There was nothing wrong with 179 before the “improvements.” Just adding the traffic circles would have done the same job as the new road through east Sedona. The bottom line is that all these recent “improvements” to our roads haven’t help us at all. Going from the Y to VOC is a joke – 35 mph – no stopping – and traffic controls everywhere. This road wasn’t built with the foresight of what we need to have sustainable travel conditions – with was built with the foresight of having nothing but National Monument trolleys – which travel at 35 mph.
The USFS new “welcome” building is outside VOC – before you get to VOC. What a great spot to drop your car and take a trolley into Sedona.
Who’s going to pay for those trolleys? Where is the magic money coming from? From higher taxes and fees.
The transportation money they talk about in National Monument documents isn’t about moving people around inside the NM – it’s about bringing poor people into the area so they can enjoy it. Obama said, “It’s a matter of correcting a social injustice.”
Don’t get me wrong – I’m all for poor kids having access to the forest – but has anyone for one minute considered over-crowding? Bringing people in from poor, drug infested areas – what could possibly go wrong? More diapers, more trash, more bacteria = more water treatment. Do we not already have an issue with ecoli due to the monsoons? Seems to me Slide Rock and Crescent Moon get shut down every year due to the ecoli contamination.
We do not have any public transportation within the city. It would be great if there was a regular bus service = locals would not need to drive to work in uptown and find a place to park. Public transportation is the sensible way to address the traffic problems here. If we weren’t wasting our money on marketing, unwanted street lighting, and the like, there’d be plenty of money in the budget for it. As it stands, the only thing the city council wants to do is restrict access to our forest and favorite hikes by creating the National Monumental Mistake.
@ Eddie and @ J.J. and To All Readers at The Eye:
Superbly written Eddie. Now, let’s take your expose here and throw into the mix the NEPA complications implicit in a new Sedona-Verde Valley Red Rock National Monument designation. The traffic problems you envision will be put on steroids. Then, as pointed out by you, J.J., just Google “Trash pictures in the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument” and take a look at what has happened to the formerly spectacular Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in southern Arizona after hordes of the poor made camp in a National Monument:
you wrote: The transportation money they talk about in National Monument documents isn’t about moving people around inside the NM – it’s about bringing poor people into the area so they can enjoy it. Obama said, “It’s a matter of correcting a social injustice.”
I’m writing back to you.
What social injustice can be corrected by the FREE access to our rocks as it is now? FREE. Get it?
Count the illegals & legals here now & on weekends & open your eyes to those camping FREE up in the Canyon. We drove 89A to an upper forest road midway between Sedona & Flag to drop a car & hike down West Fork from Secret Mountain & there were so many Mexicans camping in the forest you couldn’t find an uninhabited space. Unlike the people that go under Midgeley and to Slide Rock, no poor person is limited around here or has trouble accessing any of our area including those that slipped over the border illegally & thumb their noses at our laws now. You want THEM or ANYONE to PAY A FEE? RIDE A TROLLEY WHEN THEY & WE CAN RIDE ESCALADES & LATE MODEL CARS?
Social injustice is a stupid federal bureaucrat like the one that said everyone in Arizona had to have white roofs. Remember that liberals? Social injustice is the federal bureaucrat that said no Arizona roofer had to work under inhumane conditions by installing roofs in heat above 98 degrees. OUR OWN BODIES HAVE HIGHER TEMPS YOU (deleted by editor) & (deleted by editor).
What am I missing?
Thanks, Rick, and others for joining in on the conversation.
Except for attending the ADOT public meetings during the re-design of SR179 I was not involved with Voice of Choice, the force behind the resulting design. The other option was a four-lane super highway comparable to I-17. And to my recollection the reason for changing the design in the first place was because of safety concerns relating to speeding and dangerous curves which resulted in numerous and serious traffic accidents. Personally I enjoy the leisurely ten minute scenic drive it take to get to the VOC. But of course as a resident I avoid going there at any time there’s a question of traffic back-ups on the return trip.
If my article conveys nothing else I hope the message is sent that proposed projects relating to increased traffic in conjunction with implementing the New Community Plan should be put on hold until serious resolutions are in place to mitigate the current traffic problems prior to adding to them.
It remains a puzzle to me that as indicated in the full-page “notice” placed in the Red Rock News it was the City of Sedona that urged Keep Sedona Beautiful to move forward with the pursuit of a National Monument designation. Does anyone know if the Sedona City Council or City Staff has come forth with a public statement to either confirm or deny that charge? It was a question asked by the second speaker at the Council Meeting, referred to in another comment. During the Council Meeting Public Forum council members are not allowed to respond.
Unless and until City of Sedona can get their own affairs in order, within their legitimate jurisdiction which is the area within Sedona City Limits, it remains a puzzle why they’ve taken it on to intrude and make decisions which will impact the entire Verde Valley especially as indicated by J.J. when many people remain unaware of such an endeavor.
Put and keep your own house in order might be a wise and logical course for City of Sedona to consider but clearly they aren’t capable of acknowledging the limitations of their elected powers or they wouldn’t continue to extend them as indicated first by using City of Sedona taxes to fund a “regional” Chamber of Commerce for an alleged “City of Sedona Visitor Center” and most recently the contract for destination marketing to promote the regional Chamber of Commerce and their members.
The above comments reflect my own personal opinions.
Eddie Maddock
A former chair of the Sierra Club did not want the Red Rock Crossing because he lived back on Oak Creek and it would have ruined his world. Inconvenienced him.
Chip Davis emptied the coffers and built the BeaverHead Flat Road and designated it as our “alternate route”. This is also known as Chip Davis Highway, his legacy.
Good friends, you know?
Blast from the past:
You must read this.
http://www.redrockreview.com/bridge.html
I watched a six mile backup from Sedona to Bell Rock and beyond to I-17 this past Sunday. Two hour tie up, so dangerous….
When people start crossing the street at TTLAQ, it will become much worse.
We will eventually implode our tourist industry because the word will get out and no one wants to spend two hours in traffic with no place to park once you get there.
Greed will kill the industry.
February 21, 1993 Flood
http://www.sedona.biz/national/forest-service/little-brooks-make-great-rivers/
Will history repeat? Answer ~ Yes! And those that continue to knowingly make decisions that stand for endangering the general public should be held responsible. When people are trapped by traffic gridlock, unable to get out of subdivisions and cannot move on the highways, it will be the fault of those making irresponsible decisions. Period.
We are very pleased to have Beaver Head Flat Road as a convenience to get to Cottonwood and avoid the congestion in West Sedona.
What I find interesting as City Staff enables the City Council to give away money without objection, the first comment on this article is the new City business hours.
Let me get this straight, they only now work , with a few exceptions, 4 days a week, Monday through Thursday.
They get two weeks paid vacation and two weeks paid leave the first year of employment. A month off paid the first year. It only took me 10 years to reach that level, and that was a hard to get union job.
So, the City staff works for us, or we work for them?
Maybe they work so little to make traffic better?
The city staff sure would not want to be here on a busy Friday or a busy weekend, like the retired residents they so despise.
to Jess Lookin
The hours that city people work makes what difference to you? 5 8 hour days vs 4 10 hour days still equal 40 hours as long as the services are the same, what’s wrong with that???
I;m sure that there are some good reasons for this, I bet one is to save money in utility bills each Friday and lets not forget that there will be a few less cars on the road on Friday also.
You really need to get a life.
Kudos to Jess Lookin.
Today Sedona is overdeveloped and has big-city traffic problems. Citizens stopped the 13 Transitional Zones in 2002, but now they’ve come back to bite us as 13 Community Focus Areas. And the Creek Walk is also back. Retirees and many City businesses aren’t feeling the love.The Chamber/Lodging Council get $1.5 Million to bring in more day-trippers and visitors who would have come here anyway. Meanwhile, City Hall plunders on without adequate roads and needed infrastructure. Thank you City staff.
The same as the Sedona residents in Coconino County, we love Beaver Head Flat Road to Cottonwood. And even when we attend events in West Sedona at the Performing Arts center or the church on Dry Creek Road that features the Sinfoniettas, we prefer taking that route and going through Page Springs. (especially since most, if not all, the performances are on Sunday)
And even if RR Crossing were restored we probably wouldn’t use it because of that planned Focus Area by the high school and the new hotel and all. It’s likely to end up as bad (or worse) as SR179.
If things continue to worsen it’s doubtful we’ll even shop in Sedona anymore since many of the items we once purchased are no longer available. Cottonwood’s the place to shop for many reasons.
Well it seems to me that the City should work half as hard as the businesses that have to collect sales and bed tax. So that would mean they have to work EVERY weekend and EVERY Holiday in the SPRING and FALL as that is the only time the tourists are here. Oh that would aslo fit into the sham of only the tourists contribute to tax basis. Let them EAT thier words and make them WORK half as hard as the businesses. Make them work.
For the most part I find city staff very friendly and accommodating although there seems to be a large turnover. There are new names and faces all the time. There’s at least one though that for sure shows favoritism for that Chamber of Commerce bunch and one other is very snippy. My favorites though – Director of Community Development and the new Code Enforcer. But no matter what the buck stops with the city council. They make the final decisions and sometimes they go against the recommendation of city staff.
@Get a life and Move On since the city of Sedona overcharges the businesses in the city limits for everything so they can give the money to the REGIONAL MEMBERSHIP chamber and the OVERPAID city employees then it would be fair to make the City employees work with the city businesses to see how they can SAVE the city money rather then spend it. Have the city employees be responsible to account, track and report projects based on what they save rather than GIVE away.
The business owners that have to pay sales tax for the RENT, signage, permits and licenses work for peanuts to pay these airheads. Let the employees pay when they don’t perform. BS
Jean J. writes: “Citizens stopped the 13 Transitional Zones in 2002, but now they’ve come back to bite us as 13 Community Focus Areas.”
And that’s the truth. If you think traffic’s bad now you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.
To make matters worse, and like former decision makers who have ruined Sedona, this current crop will probably move or die before they witness first hand the real destruction of their lame decisions. But realistically maybe that’s the best any of us can hope for – taxes, death or get the heck out before the Grim Reaper takes us.
There is one very simple and inexpensive way to reduce the traffic on 179 going in to Sedona.
Put a giant “WELCOME TO SEDONA” sign on the 17 at the 260 exit. People will then travel in to West Sedona from Cottonwood. The majority of the trip will be on 4 lane roads and there are safer places to stop and take pictures.
Many problems solved.
Ok, now how do I collect the $250k they are paying for the traffic study? My solution is probably better than what they will come up with.
Oh, one more easy solution for uptown.
Put pedestrian bridges over the hwy and eliminate parking on 89A. Add a little more parking just off Jordan road.
Now business owners might balk, but tourists park in the very limited number of spaces first thing in the morning, go on a jeep tour, have lunch and move their cars when they’re ready for dinner. Uptown businesses should encourage a higher turnover of vehicles, it will increase their business during busy times. Or with the elimination of parking all together will encourage more people walking from the parking areas instead of getting discouraged and driving away.
Weekend Freeway Travel Advisory (Sept. 11-14)
Loop 202 West closed between Country Club Dr and Loop 101 Expect lane restrictions along I-17 North near Greenway Rd
PHOENIX — Freeway-improvement projects will require closures or lane restrictions in the Phoenix area this weekend (Sept. 11-14). The Arizona Department of Transportation recommends drivers plan ahead, consider alternate routes or adjust travel schedules and use caution in work zones while the following restrictions are in place:
• Westbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) closed between Country Club Drive and Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (Sept. 14) for widening project paving. DETOUR: Alternate routes include westbound McDowell Road, Rio Salado Parkway and University Drive. Please allow extra travel time.
• Northbound Interstate 17 narrowed to two lanes near Greenway Road from 11:30 p.m. Friday to 9 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 12) for pavement repair. Northbound I-17 off- and on-ramps at Greenway Road closed. DETOUR: Please allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes.
• Westbound US 60 (Superstition Freeway) closed overnight between Priest Drive and Interstate 10 from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Saturday (Sept. 12) for overhead sign work. Westbound I-10 narrowed to one lane between Baseline and Broadway roads. DETOUR: Please use alternate routes or allow extra travel time.
• Eastbound Interstate 10 narrowed to two lanes overnight between 40th Street and Baseline Road from 11 p.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Sunday (Sept. 13) for overhead sign work. Eastbound I-10 on-ramps at State Route 143 and Broadway Road closed. DETOUR: Please allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes, including eastbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) to southbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway).
• Grand Avenue (US 60) closed in both directions.
Carry potable water at all times in Arizona and remember, if pets are onboard, bring a leash to walk your furry pals safely in case of traffic delays.
Good idea (Leah) for the exit sign on I-17 and 260. However, every time the suggestion comes up (and this isn’t the first time) ADOT balks and then we hear people in both the VOC and uptown Sedona complain because they don’t want for West Sedona to get any business.
And then as far as limiting parking uptown, for a very long time it’s been the recommendation of the Sedona police department to have parking meters there. But of course and again it’s the businesses uptown that squawk the loudest and we all know that with both Main Street and the regional Chamber of Commerce running the city and they will prevail.
In the meantime the businesses in West Sedona continue to be treated worse than step-children and nothing happens to improve the traffic flow. What will be amusing and serve the uptown snobs right would be for Red Rock Crossing to be reopened and then watch the line-up of cars entering Sedona from that “alternate” route. Topped by a Sedona Exit Sign on I-17 to route people through Cottonwood. Oh my, how those kiddies uptown who presently control Sedona would throw temper tantrums.
Oh well, dream on. Sensible solutions have been thrown out there and are still available but for some unknown reason city management is afraid to offend the controlling cry babies.
did you hear an arrest in the Phoenix 10 shootings was made?
Just wondering if city council members and staff would all be willing to give up their cars and pull those little red wagons?
Lane restrictions on southbound I-17 this week for routine maintenance work – minimal delays expected during work hours.
The Arizona Department of Transportation will perform routine maintenance on southbound Interstate 17 from Rock Springs to Table Mesa Road today, Sept. 14 through Thursday, Sept. 17 from 6 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Motorists should be prepared for alternating lane restrictions through the work zone between mileposts 236 and 241 to allow for a safe work zone for maintenance crews. Minimal delays are expected.
The speed limit through the work zones will be reduced to 45 mph during work hours.
ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. 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 511.
ADOT: Beware of fraudulent DMV websites and misleading advertising – ServiceArizona.com is the only official website for Arizona motor vehicle services!
Many motor vehicle services can be performed online nowadays. Unfortunately, scam artists, misrepresenting themselves as official motor vehicle division entities, are using the Internet to take a customers money and personal information.
The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division wants to alert customers that there are fraudulent websites falsely offering motor vehicle services such as Arizona driver licenses, IDs, and vehicle titles and registration. The fraudulent websites appear in searches with keywords such as MVD or DMV.
ServiceArizona.com is the only authorized website for all Arizona MVD transactions. Customers can use ServiceArizona.com to conduct many routine motor vehicle transactions, such as applying for a duplicate driver license or driver license reinstatement, renewing a vehicle registration and purchasing a specialty or personalized license plate.
Currently, a person cannot obtain a driver license online. To do so a customer must visit a local MVD or Authorized Third Party office.
Additionally, ADOT does not offer MVD services through phone solicitations, nor does it endorse or advertise for online businesses claiming to provide MVD services.
There are, however, legitimate Authorized Third Party businesses that are licensed and authorized to perform MVD transactions in person. A list of Authorized Third Party businesses can be found at azdot.gov/locations.
ADOTs goal is to prevent its customers from becoming victims of fraud or identity theft. ADOT also wants customers to be aware of unauthorized sites that may offer MVD services at an extra cost. The only authorized ways to conduct Arizona driver license or motor vehicle services are either in person at any ADOT MVD or Authorized Third Party office, online through ServiceArizona.com or by standard mail.
For more information about MVD services, please visit azdot.gov/mvd.
City of Sedona has been notified by CenturyLink that they will be doing cable replacement on Lizard Head Lane and Dry Creek Road from Monday, September 21 to Friday, September 25. Traffic restrictions will be in effect. The work zone on Dry Creek Road may require the use of one lane. Flaggers and traffic control devices will be utilized to help control the flow of traffic safely through the work zone.
Please allow extra time for your travels on Dry Creek Road, slow down and obey all flaggers and traffic control devices.
Pavement work scheduled overnight at Sunset Point Saturday – Southbound on and off-ramps will be affected, minimal delays expected between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
The Arizona Department of Transportation will install new pavement markers at the Sunset Point rest area on Saturday, Sept. 26. Drivers can expect minimal delays and restrictions to the on and off-ramps at Sunset Point on southbound Interstate 17 between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
The speed limit through the work zones will be reduced to 45 mph during work hours.
ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. 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 511.
Nothing seems to make an impact to discourage the intense drive to choke the charm out of Sedona. At the special council meeting on Wednesday (9/23) moving forward at record speed on the development of community focus areas at Schnebly and Brewer Roads remain high on the list of priorities. No thought is given to increased traffic in an area that frequently is presently barely passable on most weekends. As Audree Juhlin in Community Development mentioned, residents are calling for the projects and to include the creek walk. And that is a good reason to jeopardize literally thousands of lives in the event of disaster? El Nino conditions are predicted this winter. Maybe a huge flood similar to those in the past might serve as an eye opener but it’s doubtful. This council seems to wear blinders and have tunnel vision to see only what they pick and choose. But after the expansion at Tlaquepaque and the Brewer & Schnebly Road events, all those important people that couldn’t live without community focus areas jolly well better not gripe about the traffic! They are earning big time increased gridlock.
Very interesting @James Harrington that city council will pay so much attention to a handful of ongoing whiners that want their creek walk and public gathering places in spite of very dangerous traffic congestion. On the other hand, at the council meeting on Tuesday when three hours of testimony was heard, primarily objecting to a National Monument designation , the city council voted to table taking a vote because Angela LeFevre, a member of the city council, was absent?
What? Has that now set a new precedent? After all, if Angela is given such special consideration then why shouldn’t that be extended every single time a council member is unable to attend a council meeting? Why should any decisions at all, whatsoever, be made unless all seven council members are present?
In the meantime, to hell with the concerned residents who intellectually spent hours researching in order to present their case to Council. And now, because of one missing person from the council, they must all reappear and start over?
Something drastically wrong with this scenario. Maybe the time has come to consider a recall and elect people that are genuinely interested in representing the will of the people and not manipulate given situations in order to appease the desires of special interests and council members’ own agendas.
@ Very Interesting – Not only that, but if the issue was so important to Angela then she should have changed plans and been at the meeting. Snooze Rule should have be invoked: You snooze and you lose.
Once was enough! Although we’d heard about Sedona from friends who warned us in advance “don’t go there” we were attracted by signs at the airport in Phoenix so decided to take a drive to Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon for the day. Terrible experience! We were stuck in traffic for TWO HOURS and after we got through what we think was uptown we managed to make our way through Oak Creek Canyon and were only grateful to be headed north where we had the option of returning to Phoenix via the interstate.
We will NEVER return and with egg on our faces confessed to our friends we were stupid enough to ignore their advice and drive to Sedona anyhow. BAD IDEA!
Visitors from Delaware
My wife asked me to “please” add that the one pleasurable part of our quick trip thru Sedona was the Scenic Highway. It was beautiful – relaxing and setting a mood appropriate for the beautiful scenery until all of a sudden the jolt back to reality – TOO MUCH UNMANAGED TRAFFIC.
(there Dear – are you happy now?)
Weekend Travel Advisory
September 25-28, 2015
Weekend Travel Advisory
Drivers should be aware of the following restrictions:
Westbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) closed between Gilbert and Dobson roads in Mesa from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday
Northbound Interstate 17 closed overnight at Bell Road from 10 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday
Southbound Interstate 17 closed overnight near Loop 101 from 10 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday
Pull Aside, Stay Alive this monsoon season!
Dear Tourists, We’ve been complaining for YEARS. Our mayor said, “too bad you’re stuck in traffic, but at least the scenery doesn’t suck.” Please send her your comments.
City Council thinks an answer to the problem will be to make Sedona a National Monument. You’ll have to park and ride in, after paying a fee (of course). Several hikes will obviously have to be closed – can’t have anyone disturbing the flora and fauna. And keep Fido at home because, even on a leash, he’ll chase and/or disturb the wildlife. Don’t forget to plan ahead because you’ll need to take a trolley to the trailheads.
God forbid anyone tell you that you can avoid the traffic by taking the 260 through Cotton to 89A and West Sedona because (GASP) they might get your tourist dollars before you get to uptown. They “improved” Hwy 179 so that there’s NO STOPPING except in approved areas and there’s only 2 lanes and 35 mph because they were thinking ahead about those trollies you’re going have to ride into Sedona (what part of NO VEHICLES did you miss?)
Perhaps Sedona will be better – it will not be the community it is now because “willing sellers” (unable to sell homes to anyone else but the Forest Service) will move away and the homes (unless they can be used for vacation rentals) will be razed. You’ll have to pay through the nose since the taxpayer base will be leaving.
We do hope you’ll come back. I’m sure Ghost Towns of the west will be a lot of fun to visit.
WOW J.J. And we thought we’d seen the worst side. A National Monument? NO WAY! The only thing we disagree with you is about the designated Scenic Route because a four-lane highway would complete the scenario in the most hideous way. In retrospect and based on what you have offered, we’ll consider our impulsive day trip up there as just another of life’s learning experiences: Listen to the advice of those who know! Thank you!
Isn’t Community Development Director Audree Juhlin’s mentioning at the 9/23 Council Meeting that residents are calling for the development of the community focus areas at Schnebly Hill and Brewer Roads–including the Creek Walk–more City Hall idiocy?
When I phoned the Yavapai County Elections office asking for the March 11, 2014 Sedona Community Plan Update results, I was informed out of 6,495 Registered Voters, only 2,485 Total Ballots were cast, yielding 1,530 “YES” votes. So, the truth is that only 23.56% of the Registered Voters want the over-development and impending traffic disaster. The City has no mandate or logical reason to pursue CFA’s. And in no way does the majority here want them.
Jean j, .
Schnebly Hill and Brewer Roads–including the Creek Walk Is not in Yavapai county, and the city CFA, for the area is part of the city plan to look at all parts of the city on a regular basses.
The city does not need a mandate, the city manager and staff manage the city under the direction of the city council.
Steve
Similar to Sedona Tourists we mistakenly thought visiting there would be a wonderful experience. WRONG!
We attempted to enter Sedona from Flagstaff and down Oak Creek Canyon. Gridlock half way down the canyon. Three hours later we reached the junction of SR179 and headed directly the opposite way to get the heck out of Sedona. We were, however, able to calm our nerves somewhat, stopping in what was called the “Village” having a bite to eat and was recommended a lovely motel which we were told didn’t charge Sedona city and bed taxes. Somewhat of a bonus after what should have been a scenic trip turned into a nightmare.
The following morning we took time to hike part of what was called Bell Rock Trail and so saw incredible views which made at least part of our trip worthwhile. However, as for shopping or other tourists offerings except overdevelopment and congestion we saw very little of what we presume was “incorporated” Sedona and preferred it that way.
We will definitely not go back unless signs are post such as in meeting rooms: capacity not to exceed (blank, blank number of cars/people). Sedona, you have extended your capacity! Don’t you get it?
Good Point @ JeanJ The City is working on projects for a few selected friends. SHOW us the numbers! Oh did 3 people request it. maybe 20 There is no logic to this!
@Steve Segner – FYI, Yavapai County handles all of Sedona’s election results – including Coconino votes – because City Hall is located in Yavapai County.
Ah, yes, the silent majority sits silently and allows the slim minority of voters to control Sedona @Jean J. When people are so lazy and uninterested to even pick up a black pen, mark a ballot, and mail it postage pre-paid, they are the biggest problem of all. And not one of them better be complaining about this, that, or anything else which displeases them since THEY are the ones allowing these idiotic decisions to happen.
Lobby as the Chamber did to get their contract and you might win. Of course, that isn’t necessarily true either. Standing room only at the meeting last Tuesday to oppose the designation of a National Monument only to be put on hold – tabled is the proper term – for the convenience of one missing city council member – Angelica LeFevre who for sure will vote in favor of the NM since she’s been lobbying for it. That concession was made by Mayor Moriarty “in fairness to Angela.” And where was the fairness to the several hundred people who rallied to have a voice that had been silenced by Keep Sedona Beautiful? Where’s the fairness in that?
Which, taking the above into consideration, pretty much makes Jean J. and “Good Point” 100% correct in their assessments. And even Steve Segner is correct on this one. It’s the City Council making the decisions, and many times against the recommendation of the city staff and definitely, as in the case at the Tuesday meeting, against the will of the people.
However, not so on the National Monument Designation if KSB still has the gall to submit their recommendations to the President of the U.S. His signature alone can make it happen and then maybe the Sedona City Council will know the feeling of being stifled like unwanted cockroaches.
@ flo and Dan Kansas
Next time don’t come on a weekend…All tourists towns are busy on weekends and holidays…. Btw you sound like a fake post from a local here..I’m sure I’m correct..
Just to let other fake posts here by tourists…
Don’t waste your time time commenting on this blog…. Most regulars here hate you anyway and would just assume you stay home…
Jean Jenks… What you going to do cry now… So what the election was won by 1 thousand plus yes votes…yes most people don’t vote…so what… Your still a loser and your still a minority voice here in town no matter what…. YOU GET IT…
Would these same people recommend for children to go play in the middle of the highway because that’s what they want? Come on what’s wrong with you people? The two of you on city council that worked on the community plan rewrite didn’t revise a document etched in gold resembling the Holy Bible! It is a ‘GUIDELINE’ – period – no more no less. Your illusion that your community gathering spots should take priority over controlling traffic and maintaining the safety of property owners should be canned. It ain’t gonna fly in a court of law! To insist implementation of more traffic creating facilities is stupid and worse yet reckless. the inmates have taken over the asylum and those who go along with it should be held personally liable for consequences that won’t come as a surprise and not if but when. Shameful.
@wsr Are you a competitor or disgruntled city employee? Elected or unelected councilor or city staffer or politician? From your post you know Jean Jenks as a living breathing person when not one of us likely does? Ex husband or wife, jilted lover, cold hearted stalker to call Jean Jenks a loser, tsk tsk poor man or woman for that personal vindictiveness? You sound old and likely live a lonely, sad life and like to spill hate from your keyboard. You need to take yourself to task, not others. Comments here are often smart and intelligent, that’s why it’s #1 in my book. Go back inside your cave now…
Wow and gee whiz! Taking a break from the perpetual job of raking up pine needles, it seemed like a good idea so see what was new on SE. Some unhappy tourists and mostly the disgruntled West Sedona Resident (capital WSR) who just doesn’t seem to have much fun whenever he/she reads Sedona Eye. Why would a person spend time on something that is so upsetting to them? Anyhow, mostly my purpose here is, and it seems timely, to share a very pleasant experience.
Having an appointment in Cottonwood at 4:00 PM Thursday, my route choice was to go through VOC then take the Beaver Head Flat cut-off. It was amazing – little traffic – and, of course, contrary to other opinions the 179 designated “scenic route” is calming and beautiful.!
Pondering which way to return to Sedona, again I opted for the more peaceful journey with slight reluctance about potential 5:00 traffic. Exercise in futility, that was, since what little traffic there was in both directions was minimal.
What a sheer delight – to reflect on what Sedona was and should be. However, with the constant push for change and more, more, more – comparing and competing to be like every imaginable small town or berg in the world, have art in certain places because “that’s how they do it in Europe” and on and on and on – all about here there and everywhere except Sedona.
Wouldn’t it be exceptional if we had other places making such desperate attempts to be “like Sedona, Arizona?” Of course, that could never happen unless and until the day we become like CommonTown, USA, at which time no one would want to be like us anyhow.
Oh well, hustle, bustle, bigger but not necessarily better. Name of the game but overlooking one small consideration, that being Health, Safety, and Welfare of residents and tourists alike. There we go again with that controversial word “Welfare” which to shallow minds relates back to doing it the way they do it elsewhere, which isn’t why most of us came here in the first place.
Kapeesh?
Hey Al
What happened did a stick a truth nerve on you…
What I said is absolutely true… No I’m not old but you sound like you are..
Not a city employee or anything like it just another west sedona resident
Btw you can go blank yourself
Wow! Are all residents of Sedona as mean spirited as West Sedona Resident who made unfounded accusations about whether or not we are (were) tourists? The answer is “yes” our story is valid and based on the rude remarks by apparently one of your locals it’s amazing you have any tourists in Sedona at all.
Be assured that even if you did provide adequate traffic control, we will NEVER, EVER consider visiting a place so hateful as the words spouted by West Sedona Resident. And that person has the audacity to accuse others of disliking tourists?
Further, you may be certain we will do our own spouting on FaceBook and other media on-line outlets to let the world know exactly what a hateful place Sedona, Arizona really is. Beautiful red rocks being obscured by over-development and enhanced with unbearable traffic snarls are bad enough. But to be bad-mouthed so severely from the likes of a West Sedona Resident? Wow (again). Unbelievably ugly behavior coming from what could be such a beautiful area.
Wow thank you so much ESM for sharing your daily agenda…so rivioting..
I guess the fact that you drive to Cottonwood for your shopping really rings true that you pay no city taxes..
God bless
Just by the nasty posts by West sedona resident it becomes transparent who they are. LLL club. They don’t like it when Jean speaks up because she is brillant and sees dumb stuff they do. It is super easy to attack people under FAKE names.
GO Jean GO! I love it when West sedona resident can’t control themselves…… That means you’re doing a great job!
@flo and Dan of Kansas
BYE……
You can go cry and complain about your next vacation on another blog somewhere..
Make sure your next visit to a tourist town isn’t on a weekend or holiday