I-40 Unusual Road Closure!

[Robert Schaller]

I-40 travelers, beware! Here's a segment of an article from the Arizona Republic this morning:

"Interstate 40 was closed Monday morning between Seligman and the Arizona (sic) 93 junction outside Kingman because of heavy snow and traffic accidents. [It's US93, not SR93.]

Sgt. Rod Wigman of the Arizona Department of Public Safety said one of the accidents involves a truck hauling small-arms ammunition, with heavy snow hindering clean-up efforts.

In Kingman, thousands of school kids were given the day off due to snow and dangerous driving conditions. The Kingman Unified School District and the Kingman Academy of Learning canceled classes."

This is NOT the section of I-40 that is normally subject to closures for heavy snow. This illustrates what many of us know to be true -- the weather is quite often unpredictable! I doubt this closure is still in effect, and even if it is, it won't be for long. Flagstaff is expected to have 6-10 inches of snow by tonight, and the snow level will drop down to 6500 feet MSL overnight. This means that anything within about a 40 mile radius of Flagstaff could be snow-packed and/or icy tonight, as well as other sections such as the one between Seligman and Kingman as mentioned above. So, be careful out there!

[Mark Sedenquist]

Yep,

That section of roadway doesn't close often due to snow. In the local mountains, (about five miles from the RTA office in Las Vegas) there was over 24" of snow accumulation last night. Brrrrr.

Mark

[Quebec Gen]

Quebec greetings guys!

Well, haha, ahem...I guess I cannot say I'm jealous. Here we have mellow temperatures : 7 C (believe it or not southerners it's real hot for us at this time of the year). But in March you'll be the ones laughing, I'll be freezing my poor Canadian butt while you'll be toasting!:o)

Gen

Hi, I just took that route from Gallup to Las Vegas yesterday (Tues) and it was open. They were still cleaning up the accident but had all the debris to the side of the road. There was plenty of snow on the ground from Gallup through Flagstaff and all the way to just about Kingman but the road was cleared and easily driveable. But as always this time of year things can change fast and it's always a good idea to check the weather channel before you head out and keep checking the radio for updates.

[Mark Sedenquist]

John,

Thanks for the field report -- a lot of snow in the local Las Vegas mountains -- a real winter wonderland right now.

Mark

[JJJ]

Will be coming across I-40 this coming Tuesday and Wednesday and then heading south on I-17. Is there a way to check for closures before I get to those roads. I am relocating from New York to Phoenix and would appreciate any advice.

[Robert Schaller]

Right at the moment, the SW is getting rain and snow in the higher elevations -- more is expected early in the week. It would be unusual for I-40 or I-17 to CLOSE, but it could happen this week, given the series of storms we are expecting. Usually, any closure we get is going to be in the area right around Flagstaff. Check the weather/road conditions links on the RTA site <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/links/conditions.htm">(click this link)<a/>.

Once on the road, Arizona has implemented a voice-activated 511 system that provides automated access to real-time ADOT road conditions. I just checked it from my home in Phoenix, and it seems to be working. If you have a cell phone, you can probably access this from the road.