The Arizona Department of Transportation said that daytime blasting along State Route 77 south of Globe will resume Tuesday, Jan. 3, as crews work to remove potentially hazardous rocks.
The route will be closed in both directions between mileposts 154 and 161 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday through Thursday until the project is complete. Lane closures are also expected on those days from 7-10 a.m. and again from 3-5 p.m. Drivers can expect 15-minute delays during the lane closure times. The lane restrictions are expected to last until March.
ADOT crews were working at night to remove rocks near Dripping Springs, but the work switched to daylight hours after a loosened boulder fell on the road in late November.
During the road closures, drivers can use SR 177 and U.S. 60 between Globe and Winkelman, which adds 20 miles to the trip.
Those driving through the work area should proceed slowly and be on the lookout for construction workers and equipment.