THATCHER — Area highways will see their share of improvements over the coming months.
Work started this week on construction of a new nearly 1-mile passing lane on U.S. Highway 70, about 6 miles west of Bylas.
During the work, the highway will be reduced to one lane, with alternating east- and west-bound travel, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. each weekday. Flagging operations will be in effect to assist motorists through the work zone.
The work is expected to be completed by December.
In the fall, work is expected to begin on pavement rehabilitation of Highway 70 through Safford and Thatcher.
“We approved the resurfacing for Highway 70, from Reay Lane to about the Sunrise Village turnoff in Safford, at last month’s meeting,” said Thatcher Mayor Jenny Howard, who sits on the ADOT board. “Now the board members are coming to Safford to August and I said, ‘All of you coming in on the 70, be sure and look at the amount of crack-seal you are driving on when you come through Thatcher.’ This is that project, so we’re very thankful.”
The project is projected to cost about $17.3 million. Exact start and finish dates have not yet been announced.
– Contributed Graphic/ADOT
The straight on U.S. Highway 191, north of Highway 70, will see construction of three-quarters of a mile of passing lanes.
The $5.6 million project is expected to begin in 2026.
And the ADOT board has placed in its five-year plan resurfacing of Highway 70 from Reay Lane to Cottonwood Wash in Pima, starting in 2030. That project is currently budgeted at $20.7 million.
The public will have the chance to talk with the Arizona Department of Transportation board and staff about local road issues and needs when the board returns to Safford on Aug. 15.
The Transportation Board meeting will take place at 9 a.m. at the Graham County General Services Building.
