Phoenix-area residents heading to Rim Country or the White Mountains should build some extra time into their travel plans, the Arizona Department of Transportation says.
ADOT is restricting State Route 87, also known as the Beeline Highway, to one lane in each direction near Slate Creek, about 25 miles south of Payson. That's so the department can conduct repairs after sensors detected movement in slopes next to the highway. ADOT intends to stabilize the terrain by moving nearly 27,000 cubic yards of dirt from the northbound side of the highway to a location downhill.
The lane restrictions will be in place through the fall, but ADOT says they'll be lifted during Labor Day weekend. Drivers hoping to avoid delays may want to consider taking Interstate 17 north to State Route 260, then SR 260 east to Rim Country.
In another project, U.S. Route 60, which runs from Phoenix to Globe and then north to the White Mountains area, is being repaved in the Salt River Canyon area. That work will occur Mondays through Fridays for about three months; it began last week. The highway is being reduced to one lane, and flaggers will guide vehicles through affected segments of the 16-mile work area.
Drivers should plan for delays of up to 30 minutes on U.S. 60, ADOT says.