Road closures will make it difficult to reach Sedona’s best hiking, camping and swimming spots for several days this month.
The Arizona Department of Transportation Close part of Route 89A It will be held at the southern tip of Oak Creek Canyon for five days from June 20th to 28th. Both lanes are closed from early morning until late afternoon.
Motorists will be provided with detours to get to businesses and popular destinations within the canyon, including Slide Rock State Park, Grasshopper Point picnic and swim area, and Oak Creek’s West Fork. However, the detour can take more than 45 minutes to drive.
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Why SR 89A is Closing in Sedona
ADOT spokesman Doug Nintzel said State Route 89A will be closed for a rockfall mitigation project. This action reduces the chances of stones falling onto the road.
The work is part of a larger Oak Creek Canyon improvement project, which also includes drainage and sediment management, and restoration of the pumphouse washbridge. ADOT estimates the work will cost him $11 million.
Nintzel said closing roads “will never be easy”, but rockfall mitigation must be done “for safety’s sake”.
Here’s where and when State Route 89A in Sedona will be closed.
SR 89A is closed in both directions between the Owenby Way roundabout at mile marker 375 and the Midgley Bridge picnic area near mile marker 376.
According to ADOT, the full shutdown is scheduled for Tuesday-Thursday, June 20-22, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as Tuesday and Wednesday, June 27-28.
Nintzel said the road closure could last longer than the planned 4 p.m. reopening time if there are unforeseen problems with construction.
The closure will be in effect on June 19th, 23rd, 26th, 29th and 30th from 6:00am to 5:00pm, mile markers 375 to 390 along SR 89A Single Lane Restrictions is carried out at the same time.
Detours: How to get around Sedona’s SR 89A closure
Avoid Oak Creek Canyon when driving between Flagstaff and Sedona. Use State Route 179 and Interstate 17 instead. Those wishing to visit the businesses and recreational areas of Oak Creek Canyon should take SR 89A just south of Flagstaff and head down.
Parks manager Hank Vincent of Slide Rock State Park, north of the road closure, said the challenge for drivers is that detours can take 45 minutes or more each way.
Vincent said Slide Rock State Park will remain open during the closure.
The Midgley Bridge Observation Area, which includes three trails and a picnic area, will also remain open, according to the Coconino National Forest Service.
Those who don’t want to spend extra time on detours should plan their drives outside of curfew hours, Nintzel said.
“A lot of people will end up changing their plans,” Vincent said.
Here’s where to contact reporters: Michael Salerno@gannett.com. follow him on twitter @salerno_phx.
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