ADOT plans closure of SR87

Both directions of State Route 87 (Beeline Highway) will be closed overnight starting Sunday, July 14, between Bush Highway and State Route 188 (mileposts 199-236) so crews can safely remove boulders and debris from a rockslide next to the northbound lanes, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The full closure, which is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Sunday and end by 8 a.m. Monday, July 15, is needed to accommodate large equipment and because of the potential for the work to trigger rockfall onto the highway. Crews will use a specialized excavator with a 125-foot boom, along with loaders and dump trucks.

Drivers using SR 87 through the area should plan on traveling before or after the closure. During the full closure, drivers can detour on SR 188 and US 60 through Globe or State Route 260 and Interstate 17 through Camp Verde. Those traveling to the White Mountains, including Show Low, can take US 60.

The slide borders northbound 87 at milepost 228, about nine miles north of Sunflower.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, the az511 app or by calling 511.