Roundabout construction to close Florence highway interchange

Work begins Monday, March 4 on the roundabout project in Florence and drivers will have to detour around the State Route 287 and State Route 79B interchange for as many as three months.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is advising drivers to prepare for a full closure of the SR 287- 79B interchange heading south from Keating Street to the entrance of the Saguaro Gardens Apartments, according to a post on the town of Florence’s Facebook page.

During construction the following traffic restrictions will be in place:

• Traffic heading eastbound on SR 287 onto Main Street will detour onto Butte Avenue to access SR 79.
• Westbound SR 287 (the roadway in front of the Burger King) will be altered to allow both westbound travel toward Coolidge and northbound travel onto South Main Street.
• West Canal Road, located just south of the closure area, will be closed.
• Florence Heights Drive will be open to local traffic only.
• Southbound SR 79B from the entrance of the Saguaro Gardens Apartments to SR 79 will be open to local traffic only.
• Traffic north of the closure at Keating Street will follow detour signs.

Access to businesses and the Saguaro Gardens Apartments will be maintained. Anthony’s Auto Repair at 1330 S. Main St. will be accessible from the building’s northern entrance on Keating Street.

The speed limit will be reduced to 35 miles per hour during construction and there will be a vehicle width restriction of 12 feet. Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.