Payson Roundup

The Arizona Department of Transportation will start work on a roundabout on Highway 87 at Airport Road on Sunday, Aug. 22.

Crews will work 24 hours a day from 10 p.m. on Sunday through noon Friday for the duration of the project, in an attempt to avoid snarling up weekend traffic.

Construction will continue through November.

Crews started preliminary road work the week of Aug. 16.

During construction, Highway 87 will be reduced to one lane in each direction to provide a safe work zone.

Airport Road and Airline Boulevard will be closed at times while the project is under construction.

While the closures are in effect, a clearly marked detour will guide traffic through the work zone to adjacent properties. Access to businesses will remain open at all times.

ADOT advises drivers to be alert for workers and heavy equipment and to anticipate brief delays as the project continues through November.

ADOT traffic engineers recommended the roundabout as a safer, more efficient way to control traffic on the busy highway. Studies show that roundabouts generally move traffic more quickly and cause fewer serious accidents than intersections with stop lights.

Originally, Payson was going to pay for about 10 or 20 percent of the $1.2-million project, but the state received federal highway funds that will cover both the state share and Payson’s share.

For more information regarding this project or to receive weekly construction e-updates, call the project hotline at 1-877-521-1118 or e-mail prescottdistrictupdates

@azdot.gov.

While ADOT strives to inform the public about planned roadway restrictions during any construction project, there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Drivers are advised to visit ADOT’s Travel Information Site at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1 for the most current information about restrictions statewide.