Alert to Flagstaff and Northeast Rural Region residents: Plan extra time if you thought you would use the intersection at Highway 89 and the Townsend/Winona Road to turn east on Townsend/Winona just outside of Flagstaff after 6 p.m.  The Coconino County Public Works Department in coordination with the Arizona Department of Transportation will oversee construction of intersection improvements that apparently require closing access to the Townsend/Winona Road at the Highway 89 intersection for twelve hours a day for a six week period. Contrary to earlier reports, Highway 89 will not be closed during the project work, but drive slowly and cautiously though the Highway 89 intersection as you should through any construction zone.

If you need access to the Townsend/Winona Road between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. until the work is completed, the alternative is: I-40 to Cosnino Road, Cosnino to Townsend/Winona, to Koch Field, to Silver Saddle to Highway 89.

If weather permits, the County predicts the work will be completed by October 21. Coconino County Supervisor Deb Hill says: "The work involves reconfiguring the Townsend Winona part of the intersection in order to make it safer, and easier for those who are turning off of Townsend/Winona onto Hwy 89. Highway 89 will not be shut down during this project.... We close intersections rarely and only when the extent and nature of the work require it. In this case there has been extensive discussion about how to get the work done before winter hits while still having the least possible negative impact to commute traffic."

This intersection has been a major winter hazard in past years. Hopefully, the extensive work will make it safer for all of us who pass through it each day.