If you’re headed up to the Flagstaff area this weekend to play in the snow, you won’t be the only one.
The Arizona Department of Transportation warning of likely heavy congestion on the roadways, and it’s likely for three reasons, said ADOT spokesman Steve Elliott: good snow, a three day weekend — and history.
ADOT often reports heavy snow play traffic this time of year, but Elliott said, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go.
“I might want make a snowman this weekend. I’m not sure,” he said. “One thing I might do if I go up there is consider coming back a little earlier. What we have seen is that around 4:00 and 4:30, when the snow play areas begin to close, that’s when the congestion is the heaviest. So if you are going up there, you might consider making an earlier start.”
Another thing to consider is taking an alternate route around Flagstaff.
“And that is from I-17, head east on I-40 to the Butler Avenue exit, and signs will direct you from there to a much more direct route to U.S. 180,” Elliott said. “So if your goal is getting directly to the snow play areas, that’s a way they can save time and minimize congestion.”
Patience is another thing ADOT stresses this time of year, even though Elliott estimates it could take an hour to travel between Flagstaff and Arizona Snowbowl.
“As tempting as it may be, don’t pull off alongside a highway to play in the snow,” Elliott said. “Pull off in a designated area. Pulling off and leaving your car alongside the road is a hazard to other motorists. It’s a hazard to you, and it can interfere with the ability of first responders to get through if they need to.”
