Plan for extended closure, detour on U.S. Highway 191 south of Willcox

Photo Courtesy ADOT: U.S. Highway 191 south of Willcox is closed due to erosion under the roadway.

ADOT crews repairing soil erosion under the roadway

Contributed Article/Courtesy ADOT

WILLCOX  – Motorists should plan for an extended closure of U.S. Highway 191 south of Willcox while crews with the Arizona Department of Transportation work to repair soil erosion under the roadway.

Photo Courtesy ADOT: This picture shows the erosion alongside the highway.

The closure requires drivers to use a clearly marked local detour between mileposts 53.1 and 55.7. Motorists will use Birch, Cochise Stronghold, and Dragoon roads while the closure is in place

This section of U.S. Highway 191 was closed Monday, July 5, when crews discovered soil erosion next to the roadway following heavy rainfall in the area. Maintenance crews have since found additional erosion under the highway and are developing repair plans.

The damage is a reminder that many factors, including wildfires and rainstorms, can trigger unplanned closures that will require repairs before a roadway can safely reopen to traffic. Drivers should get road conditions at AZ511.gov before traveling, or by checking with ADOT on TwitterFacebook, or the ADOT Alerts app

U.S. Highway 191 North

U.S. Highway 191 North remains closed between Morenci and Alpine due to the Bear Fire. The closure is from milepost 175 to milepost 225. There is no estimated reopening time.