Expect Delays on State Route 87 Through April 24

If you're heading up to Payson-area destinations from Phoenix over the next two weeks, you'll want to build some extra time into your itinerary.

Through April 24, the Arizona Department of Transportation is rerouting southbound traffic on a 6-mile stretch of State Route 87 onto the northbound lanes of the road. It's part of an ongoing safety-improvement project on SR 87 north of Sunflower, ADOT said in a news release.

The department is reconstructing an existing curve at Milepost 227 to make it easier for motorists to navigate. It's also building a new runaway-truck ramp at Milepost 228.

Traffic will still run in both directions, but the speed limit will be reduced and a 10-foot width restriction will be in place.

ADOT says the entire SR 87 project will be wrapped up before Memorial Day. If you ask us, though, a little delay is no reason not to hike the Woods Canyon Lake Loop or eat at Gerardo's Firewood Café.

Photo: Rick Delaney | State Route 87