Last week, the Arizona Department of Transportation released a status update on U.S. 89 road closure near Page, Arizona.
In February, a landslide damaged a large portion of the road, prompting the agency to shut down the highway. “The active landslide is approximately 135 feet below the roadway and measures approximately 1,200 long at the base of the slope,” Arizona Department of Transportation reports.
According to the update, the repairs are expected to cost $40 million and may take more than 2 years to complete!
The current detour is takes drivers 45 miles out of their way. It is US 160 (Tuba City exit) and State Route 98. “Drivers also have the option to take US 89A north to Marble Canyon toward Fredonia to reconnect to US 89 in Kanab, Utah,” ADOT states.
ADOT was awarded $35 million in federal aid to pave Navajo Route 20 to establish a shorter detour route.
“In an effort to restore mobility to the area as soon as possible, ADOT has worked with the Navajo Nation, Navajo Division of Transportation, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Federal Highway Administration to move forward with paving Navajo Route 20, a 44-mile-long tribal route, which is a mostly dirt road that stretches from Bodaway-Gap to LeChee. N20 runs parallel to US 89 and will significantly reduce travel time for motorists heading to and from Page and the Lake Powell,” ADOT said.
For more information about ADOT projects and programs across Arizona, see the agency’s latest blog posts.