ADOT closing highways in high country for winter

  

December 1, 2011

PHOENIX — Motorists traveling through Arizona’s high country need to be aware of some annual road closures as the winter season begins, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

A handful of state routes across the state are closed each season due to the significant amount of snowfall and most are reopened in the spring, usually around mid-April.

• A seven-mile segment of State Route 366 that leads to Mount Graham near Safford was closed on Nov. 15. ADOT may need to close the scenic highway, also known as “Swift Trail,” at lower elevations as necessary to allow for snow removal.
• SR 67 between Jacob Lake (US 89A) and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon was closed on Nov. 28.
• SR 473 to Hawley Lake is the first of several highways in the White Mountains that will shut down this winter. It closed on Nov. 30.
• SR 261 between Big Lake and five miles south of SR 260 is scheduled to close on Dec. 19.
• A five-mile segment of SR 261 from the junction of SR 260 south toward Big Lake may be left open until Jan. 16, depending on the amount of snowfall.
• SR 273 between Sunrise Park and Big Lake will close Dec. 19. The portion of SR 273 between SR 260 and Sunrise Park will remain open to provide access to the ski area.

Additional information can be found on ADOT’s “Know Snow” website at www.azdot.gov/KnowSnow. The website also contains downloadable snow maps of snowplowing schedules and routes.

Before heading out on the roads, drivers are encouraged to call 5-1-1 or log on to ADOT’s Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov for the latest highway conditions around the state. The website features images along state highways that give drivers a glimpse of weather conditions in various regions.

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Visit ADOT's Travel Information site at az511, call 5-1-1 within Arizona,or 1.888.411.ROAD outside the state for current information regarding road conditions statewide.

Visit us on facebook, twitter or sign up for ADOT email updates, including weekend freeway restrictions.

Please buckle up, observe speed limits, and never drink and drive.

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For additional information contact:
ADOT Media Relations (news@azdot.gov)
or call 800.949.8057