Arizona Department of Transportation SR 179 Improvement Project
(800) 529-2876 www.scenic179.com pr@scenic179.com

Welcome to the State Route (SR) 179 Project Weekly Construction Update - your electronic connection to the SR 179 Project with the most current information on construction plans and activities.

What to Watch for Week of April 14

Project 1
Traffic Switch Accomplished in Forest
Work Begins to Reconstruct Northbound Alignment
Paving Activities South of the Village

Project 2
Special Notes About Monitoring Traffic Backups
Ranger to Y Storm Drain Ahead of Schedule
Roadway Begins to Take Shape South of Business District
Bridge Work Continues
Construction Chat Moves to Sedona May 1

Project 1

Traffic Switch Accomplished in Forest

Traffic has been switched and is now using the new southbound alignment through Coconino National Forest.  Southbound traffic was switched on Wednesday morning at 6:13 a.m., and northbound traffic was added on Thursday afternoon.  The first motorist to use the new alignment, Sedona resident Barbara Saul, is pictured here with ADOT Lead Inspector Scott Williams.  She raved about the scenic quality of the new alignment and Yavapai Point scenic pullout.  Other community members have commented on the careful handling and replanting of trees, creating minimal visible construction impact.

Work Begins to Reconstruct Northbound Alignment

With two-way traffic now on the new southbound alignment, work will begin on rebuilding the northbound alignment.  Initial activity will include milling up the old asphalt and building underground structures associated with the roadway drainage system.  Work on the northbound alignment will take about four months.

Paving Activities South of the Village

Depending upon asphalt plant availability, paving will continue at the south end of the project.

Project 2

Special Notes About Monitoring Traffic Backups

Construction work has started the past two weeks surrounding the “Y”, both south on SR 179 and on SR 89A towards West Sedona. What was once a narrow two-lane roadway with open roadside ditches will become a fully multi-modal facility with sidewalks, curb & gutter, storm drain system, wider paved shoulders, landscaping, additional turning lanes, and accommodations for bicycles.

It is imperative for the community to understand that this is a major construction project. No significant improvements have been done on this road for almost 25 years. This project will include upgraded utilities, storm drains, as well as a vastly improved multi-modal transportation corridor. The portion of SR 89A under construction entails an entirely new grade. Many people have commented on the height of the temporary driveway at the Post Office. The roadway will also be elevated to that height to facilitate these improvements, which include roundabouts being built at the Brewer/89A intersection and at the Y.

To do all of this work, starting with utilities and storm drains at the side of the roads, travel lanes had to be removed to give the workers as safe of a working environment as possible. It is not possible financially or time-wise to continually move lane barriers. Travel lanes have been closed for the safety of the construction workers and can not be changed on an hourly or daily basis, even if no work is occurring at that exact spot at a specific time.

ADOT understands the frustrations and inconveniences with slower travel times. Traffic is dense because of the slower speeds but it is moving. Please allow for extra time to get from the Village to Y, locations in-between and from West Sedona to the Y. It may take an additional five to 30 minutes based on travel times before construction began.

ADOT remains committed to keeping travel moving in both directions and business access open. For the safety of the construction workers and the traveling public, speeds must be lowered, which causes additional travel time.

ADOT worked intensively with the Greater Sedona community to plan and design improvements to SR 179.  The central goal of the project was to develop a transportation corridor that addresses safety, mobility and preservation of scenic, aesthetics, historic, environmental and other community values and to reach consensus on the planning, design and construction of SR 179. A collaborative community-based process was conducted between August 2003 and December 2004 to plan the corridor improvements. This process depended on the community to actively participate and provide input.

Ranger to Y Storm Drain Ahead of Schedule

Progress has been swift on the installation of the storm drain that started on March 31 at the Y, heading south towards Ranger.  Crews have progressed more than 80% of the distance to Ranger Road in nine working days (the schedule called for the activity to take a full month).  This week, the storm drain installation will round the corner at Ranger, and by the end of the week, work should commence on the storm drain installation in front of Tlaquepaque.

The storm drain in front of Tlaquepaque will be placed down the center of the road (rather than down the side of the road), a change that was made last fall to protect the roots of the trees that line the Tlaquepaque wall and as many as possible of the trees across the street.  Because the installation will be down the center of the road, traffic impacts are certain.  Please plan ahead and we thank you for your patience.

Roadway Begins to Take Shape South of Business District

Curb and gutter are being placed in the area between Juniper and Pine, and sidewalk is being poured in the area of Morgan.

Bridge Work Continues

Bridge Work continues six or seven days a week to take advantage of the low flow season.

Construction Chat Moves to Sedona May 1

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will host its monthly “Construction Chat” for the State Route 179 project (SR179) from 7 to 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 1 at the Sedona-Oak Creek School District Board Room, 221 Brewer Road, Sedona.

“With Project 2 beginning and most of the activity being in the city of Sedona, we wanted to move Construction Chat to a more convenient location for Sedona residents and businesses,” said Carl Burkhalter, P.E. ADOT Project Manager for the SR 179 Improvement Project.

Construction Chat is an open house format: community members can come in at any time between 7 and 9 a.m. to view project maps and information, and talk to the ADOT construction team and construction contractors. A short presentation will be made at 8 a.m.

Please note: Changes to construction plans can happen frequently due to weather, equipment availability and personnel issues. We try to anticipate construction activities a week in advance but changes may occur. Intermittent lane closures, with short delays, may not always be known in advance.

For a complete listing of freeway and highway restrictions across Arizona visit ADOT's Travel Information Site at www.az511.com or call 5-1-1.