What you need to know
As you may know, US 89 is closed approximately 25 miles south of Page, Arizona due to the highway buckling after a landslide in early 2013.
The Arizona Department of Transportation has now opened the newly paved Temporary US 89 route (US 89T). This road parallels US 89 from The Gap to LeChee and is accessibe via US 89 about 17 miles north of the US 160 junction (Tuba City exit).
When traveling on US 89T, ADOT urges motorists to slow down, pay attention to their surroundings and be aware that this roadway on the Navajo Nation is prone to animal crossings, including horses, goats, cows and dogs.
US 89T is not part of the ultimate solution to repair US 89, which suffered a landslide that buckled pavement along the mountain slope in the Echo Cliffs area.
The projected $40 million repair is already on the fast track. Design on the repair began in late August and ADOT is meeting with potential contractors this fall. ADOT’s goal is to start construction by mid-2014, if extensive environmental and right-of-way clearances are finalized.
By paving US 89T, the detour route travel time was cut in nearly half and is similar in length to the closed US 89 route. Immediately after the US 89 landslide, ADOT set an alternate route along US 160 and State Route 98, but the 115-mile-long route created a heavy burden for drivers because it was 45 miles longer than the direct route. With the restricted opening of US 89T, however, the US 160-to-SR 98 detour route may still be a faster option for drivers.
Stay tuned for updated information and read more on ADOT's website.