ADOT reacted quickly to protect the safety of motorists following a landslide on the afternoon of Friday, March 21 approximately 30 miles south of Payson. The landslide caused sections of the highway’s southbound lanes to buckle and shift, creating unsafe driving conditions.
ADOT closed the highway, detoured traffic, informed elected officials and other state agencies, and worked with news media to inform Arizonans of the road closure.
Construction crews began working on the slope on Saturday, March 22. By Thursday, March 27 ADOT opened one lane in either direction in a two mile construction zone near milepost 224.
On Tuesday May 20, ADOT opened all four lanes and lifted the 12-foot wide load restriction. Motorists should continue to check on highway status reports by calling 511 or viewing www.511.com, as crews will continue to work with the U.S. Forest Service to ensure proper drainage and erosion control for a few months.
“Our team moved quickly following the landslide to make State Route 87 safe for motorists and restore this critical link between Northern Arizona and the Phoenix area,” said ADOT Director Victor Mendez.
The decision to reopen State Route 87 was made after thorough inspections, removal of unstable soil and assessments by ADOT engineers.
After touring the construction zone with ADOT engineers, Payson Mayor Bob Edwards said, “I witnessed first hand how fast ADOT is working to safely restore this section of highway which is vital for Payson’s economy.” Driver safety continues to be the first priority for ADOT. Crews will continue to monitor the roadway and slope for additional movement or other safety concerns. |
