On Thursday morning, Cedar Safeway’s daily delivery truck did not arrive on time. The delays were likely the result of highway closures, some of which were lifted at 9 a.m. by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), store managers told the Daily Sun.
I-17 Northbound has reopened between State Route 179 and Flagstaff. Interstate 40 also reopened, serving US 93 to the east and Holbrook to the west.
Travelers can now travel from Sedona to Flagstaff via State Route 89A. The closure of State Route 260 east of Camp Verde to State Route 87 Junction has also been lifted.
The closure was implemented Wednesday in response to extreme winter weather and high winds, with ADOT warning that the closure could be reopened if conditions worsen.
The National Weather Service predicts that heavy snowfall, which will have the greatest impact on travel, is likely late Thursday night. Forecasters say the snow is powdery and can easily be blown away by winds of 15 to 25 miles per hour.
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Public safety officials from the Department of Public Safety, ADOT, and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office have urged all travelers to exercise extreme caution should they choose to use the reopened highways.
Authorities also recommend that drivers prepare for long stops in extreme cold, where ice, snow and poor visibility are factors. They recommend carrying blankets, food, water, backup batteries, flashlights, and other emergency supplies.
Not all state highway closures have been lifted. As of press time, the following roads remain closed:
• SR 87 between Winslow and Payson (MP 342-252)
SR 260 Eastbound between McNally and Greer (MP 360-385)
• SR 273 between SR 260 and Sunrise Park (MP 377-383)
• 180 degrees north of Snowbowl (MP 236-248)
SR 64 (MP 240-264) near the Grand Canyon
• US 191 South of Alpine (MP 188-252)
Sierra Ferguson can be reached at sierra.ferguson@lee.net.
