According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), other than a short 2-hour window when State Route 260 east of Payson will be fully closed, ADOT and its contractors do not plan any full highway closures from Friday morning, June 30, until Wednesday morning, July 5.
Starting at 12:01 am on Saturday July 1, SR 260 will be closed for two hours to allow for an oversize load to pass through. The closure will take place from mileposts 277 - 282 near Christopher Creek between Concord Road and Rim Road/Old Rim Road. ADOT has been performing culvert repair in this stretch. The work has limited SR 260 to one lane in each direction with an 11-foot width restriction in each lane.
Drivers who plan to take SR 260 east from Payson or west from Heber-Overgaard during this two-hour period should consider delaying the trip through the area until 2 am. Those who are traveling between the Phoenix area and the White Mountains should consider taking US 60 as an alternate route while drivers coming to or from Interstate 40 in Holbrook can use SR 87 to and from Winslow.
During the rest of the weekend, travelers should allow extra time and be prepared for lane restrictions in some areas where work is already being done. For example, southbound I-17 is narrowed to one lane in areas along the 30-mile-stretch south of Flagstaff for an ongoing pavement improvement project. Over the holiday weekend, drivers are reminded to expect delays during peak travel times.
Drivers planning road trips over the Fourth of July weekend should stay alert and focus on safety. It is important that drivers check their vehicles and be patient. Prepare ahead of time for hot weather and possible storms in some areas. Stay alert and bring along essential items in case of an unscheduled stop in traffic.
ADOT provides the following holiday weekend safe driving recommendations:
Never drive while impaired. Buckle up and obey speed limits.
Arrange for a designated driver or ride service if necessary.
Check your vehicle, including tire pressure.
An emergency prep kit for your vehicle can include extra drinking water and other items such as blankets, a first aid kit, a flashlight, extra batteries, a fully charged cellphone and charger, snacks and a small tool kit.
Get some rest before traveling. Fatigue is a serious safety risk.
Avoid distractions. Don’t text while driving.
Don’t park in areas with grasses and brush. Hot vehicle components could start a fire.
Don’t let trailer chains drag along the pavement. Sparks could ignite a wildfire.
Since travel delays over the weekend are possible, don’t forget other important items such as prescription medicines. A hat, sunglasses and umbrella - to help with rain or provide shade - also are good items to remember as the annual summer travel season heats up.
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