Contributed article
SAFFORD — The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers that the pavement rehabilitation project on US 70 between Reay Lane and Eighth Street (mileposts 335-340) in Safford and Thatcher has been completed.
The project included removing and replacing the asphalt, improving existing driveways and curb access ramps, applying fog coating, replacing signage, and other miscellaneous improvements.
Intermittent lane restrictions will continue through May for remaining work, including utility adjustments and final pavement markings.
The second phase, which would include the same work on Highway 70 from Reay Lane to Cottonwood Wash in Pima, could begin this year.
The state Transportation Board will be asked to move the project to the current fiscal year at its next meeting later this month.
The project was originally planned for 2028, but was moved to 2030 in order to fund other projects in the northern part of the state.
Thatcher Mayor Jenny Howard, who sits on the board, has pushed to move the next round of Highway 70 improvements to this year after funding was made available.
In ADOT’s tentative five-year construction plan, the work from Thatcher to Pima is budgeted at $21.3 million.
