A 22-mile segment of State Route 260 east of Payson now features new shoulders and safety improvements, following a project by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration.
The completed work, called the State Route 260: Rim Road to Gibson Road improvement, covers the area between Forest Lakes and Heber-Overgaard along the Mogollon Rim. Construction crews added a five-foot shoulder on each side of the highway between mile markers 282 and 304. The $24.9 million project also included upgraded guardrails, pavement repairs in certain spots, drainage enhancements, and restriping of the roadway.
According to ADOT, “This project and others like it are part of ADOT’s commitment to safely connecting Arizonans and empowering the economy in Greater Arizona.”
The Arizona Department of Transportation manages highway infrastructure throughout the state, handling planning, construction, maintenance, and collaboration with partners on transportation projects such as traveler information systems and road improvements. More details about their operations can be found on their official website.
ADOT oversees a range of services including rest areas, snowplow operations using specialized equipment, and highway monitoring through cameras. The department also works with regional and local partners on corridor studies and provides updates for travelers via systems like AZ 511 (source). Jennifer Toth serves as director of ADOT and leads efforts to plan, design, construct, maintain, and operate transportation systems across Arizona (source).
For further information about this project or other initiatives in the Northcentral District, visit ADOT’s project page.
