The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will begin a pavement replacement project on State Route 70 in Safford and Thatcher starting Monday, September 29. The $12.2 million project covers 4.4 miles between Reay Street at milepost 335.6 in Thatcher and 8th Street at milepost 340 in Safford.
Planned improvements include upgrades to sidewalk ramps to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards, driveway improvements, repairs to a box culvert at milepost 337, drainage repairs, and the replacement of signs.
Pavement work is scheduled to start in early 2026. Crews will remove the top layer of asphalt before installing new pavement.
Drivers should expect intermittent daytime restrictions while crews work on driveways and sidewalk ramps, as well as nighttime restrictions for asphalt removal and replacement. There will be temporary closures of cross streets and driveways during construction. At times, traffic signals will be turned off with law enforcement managing traffic flow.
The project is expected to be completed by spring 2026.
More information can be found at the ADOT website under Southeast District Projects for US 70: Reay Lane to 8th Street Pavement Rehabilitation (https://azdot.gov/projects/southeast-district-projects/us-70-reay-lane-8th-street-pavement-rehabilitation).
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