On Friday, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) announced its plan to fix five miles of State Route 88 (Apache Trail) after damage from flooding and erosion.
The plan comes after extensive study and public input, ADOT said. With an estimated price tag of $33.7 million, the department said the improvements would be needed in order to restore access to the stretch of road that is currently closed. The recommendation would make the road safe and sustainable, the department said.
While there is no funding currently identified for the project, ADOT said it was seeking federal funding to address the unpaved stretch of road east of Phoenix. The department’s Final Design Concept Report would provide the design and construction framework when funding is secured, the department said.
“Subject to funds becoming available, we are proposing improvements that would reduce the chances of future damage from storms and enhance safety for motorists,” Paul Patane, ADOT Multimodal Planning Division Director, said. “We understand State Route 88’s place in the hearts of many Arizonans and have a recommendation that prioritizes safety and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.”
The section of SR 88 between Fish Creek Hill Overlook and Apache Lake Marina Road from mileposts 222 to 229 was damaged when torrential rain damaged the roadway and left a section blocked by boulders. The storm also damaged the drainage system, guardrail and bridge approaches and left rock faces unstable, making the road susceptible to additional damage and safety issues.
ADOT recommends chip sealing the road surface, widening the road to 15 feet, adding rock bolts to potentially unstable rock faces, increasing drainage capacity, rehabilitating or repairing existing bridges, placing new concrete barriers on steep sections and adding pullouts, signs and other safety measures.