Construction scheduled to take at least six months
Gila Herald Staff Reports
GRAHAM COUNTY — Mine commuters traveling between the Gila Valley and Morenci are being advised to factor extra time into their daily schedules starting this summer, as a major highway improvement project is set to begin just north of Safford.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has announced an infrastructure project to add new north- and southbound passing lanes on U.S. Highway 191 North. Local drivers know this specific area well: construction will take place between mileposts 132 and 135 on a stretch known locally as “The Stretch,” starting roughly one mile north of the intersection with Highway 70.
What Mine Commuters Need to Know
For the hundreds of workers making the daily trek from Safford to the Freeport-McMoRan Morenci mine, this project will directly impact shift-change commutes.
Because the highway is the primary bottleneck for northbound traffic out of the Safford area, construction will slow traffic. While the addition of permanent passing lanes aims to fix this issue in the long term, the construction phase will bring temporary headaches.
The Daily Commute Impact:
- The Shift Crunch: Daytime work hours are scheduled Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Fridays from 6 a.m. to noon. This directly overlaps with major daytime shift changes and commercial haul traffic moving up to the mine.
- One-Lane Bottlenecks: Commuters can expect intermittent lane restrictions with alternating northbound and southbound traffic through the three-mile work zone.
- Flagging Operations: ADOT will use flaggers to guide vehicles through the restricted single lane, so drivers should expect sudden stops and stacked queues during peak travel periods.
- Slower Speeds: Reduced speed limits and shoulder closures will be strictly enforced in the work zone.
ADOT is warning all motorists traveling to and from Morenci to exercise extreme caution, budget significant extra travel time, and be prepared to slow down and merge safely as they approach the construction site.
Project Scope and Timeline
The project is designed to fundamentally improve the safety and flow of traffic on this heavily utilized corridor. Key elements of the construction include:
- Constructing new northbound and southbound passing lanes to alleviate congestion.
- Installing a new reinforced concrete box culvert.
- Adding fencing and major drainage improvements along the route.
- Completing new pavement markings and installing updated signage.
ADOT and its contractor are anticipated to begin work in mid-July 2026, with the project tentatively scheduled for completion by early 2027, depending on weather and unforeseen delays.
How to Stay Informed
ADOT plans to issue specific traffic alerts prior to the launch of construction. Mine workers and local residents can stay ahead of daily traffic delays by visiting azdot.gov/US191PassingLanes to check advance closure notices and sign up for email updates.
