Travel and weather updates from across the state throughout the holiday weekend.
8 p.m. Friday: Loop 303 to be closed through January
Freeway construction will cause closures on westbound stretches of Loop 303 starting next weekend, the Arizona Department of Transportation announced Tuesday.
The first closure will take effect 4 a.m. Jan. 7 until 11 p.m. Jan. 8 between Interstate 17 and Lake Pleasant Parkway, according to ADOT.
Drivers should use alternate routes including westbound State Route 74 to southbound Lake Pleasant to connect to 303 past the closure, ADOT said.
A portion of 303 will also close 8 p.m. Jan. 13 until 5 a.m. Jan. 16 westbound between I-17 and Lake Pleasant, according to ADOT.
The I-17 off-ramps on Loop 303 will be limited to eastbound Sonoran Desert Drive, while the road’s westbound access on Sonoran Desert to northbound and southbound I-17 on-ramps will remain open, the department said.
ADOT also said there will be intermittent rolling closures on Loop 303 between I-17 and Lake Pleasant during weekdays between 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. through the end of January.
— Jose R. Gonzalez
11 a.m. Friday: Oak Hill Snow Play Area near Williams closed
The Kaibab National Forest Service tweeted Friday morning that the Oak Hill Snow Play Area, a recreational site about 14 minutes outside of Williams, is closed for public safety.
They said work is being done to “reduce hazardous fuels and mitigate wildfire risk.”
Other areas of the forest are open for winter recreation. For more information, visit the Forest Service’s web site.
— Ellie Willard
11 a.m. Friday: Intersection of Cooper and Elliot roads closed in Gilbert
On Friday morning, the Gilbert Police Department tweeted that the intersection of North Cooper and West Elliot roads in Gilbert will be closed until the end of the year.
“All traffic will be diverted at the nearest traffic signal in all directions. Please use alternate routes while in the area this weekend,” Gilbert police tweeted.
The department announced the closure just after 6 a.m. citing flooding due to a water leak
— Ellie Willard
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10:10 a.m. Friday: Hermit Road near Grand Canyon closed, State Route 64 open
The Grand Canyon National park announced that Desert View Drive (State Route 64) between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View reopened after being closed most of the early morning. However, Hermit Road remains closed.
According to Grand Canyon National Park, Desert View Drive will close during and after snowstorms.
The national park says “during winter storms, travelers should expect winter driving conditions and some roadways may be temporarily closed while snow is cleared. Be prepared for slippery, snow covered roads and limited visibility. Drive with care. During the winter, road conditions can change rapidly.”
Travelers can call 928-638-7496 for recorded updates.
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