SR64 improvement<br>activities under way

A $3.7-million construction project on State Route 64 was scheduled to begin Monday. The roadway improvements are expected to continue through Oct. 15, the Arizona Department of Transportation reported Friday.

Phase I includes improvements to the highway from Interstate 40 near Williams, through Valle and up to milepost 233 south of Tusayan.

The primary work consists of paving a leveling course to take out bumps and dips, overlaying the entire roadway with rubberized asphalt, replacing pavement markings and adding rumble strips.

The second phase of the project begins at milepost 233 south of Ten-X Campground and ends four miles later at the park boundary.

Phase II, which basically involves improvements to Tusayan’s streets, includes asphalt removal, repaving of the existing roadway with rubberized asphalt, pavement markings replacement and improved signing.

ADOT project supervisor Pat Cusey estimated the entire project would take between eight and nine weeks, depending on weather conditions.

ADOT and FANN Contracting will be doing the improvements.

Construction crews are expected to work in the Tusayan streets project area during regular daytime hours through the end of August. Nighttime construction operations will take place between Williams and Tusayan.

One lane of traffic will be open to motorists at all times, and one lane will be closed to expedite paving operations. A pilot car will escort vehicles through the work area and delays of 20 minutes can be expected.

Drivers are asked to use extreme caution while traveling through the construction zone and should be aware of flaggers on-site for safety and direction. In areas of construction activity, motorists entering SR 64 from a side road should wait for an escort.

The speed limit has been reduced from 65 mph to 35 mph in the work zone. Fines for speeding are doubled in those zones.