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The State Transportation Board recently approved the State Route 260 Lion Springs Improvement Project for inclusion in ADOT’s 2024-2028 Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program.
In addition to the board’s action, ADOT has also recently received environmental clearance to move forward with the project, which is currently in the final design phase and scheduled to advertise for construction in fiscal year (FY) 2026 (FY26 begins July 1, 2025).
With the project moving forward, ADOT has created a new project web page with additional information, including the updated environmental documents.
The SR 260 Lion Springs segment is the only remaining two-lane highway section between Payson and the Mogollon Rim. Because of the capacity limitations, this 4-mile segment creates a traffic bottleneck during periods of heavy volumes, especially on summer weekends and holidays, resulting in traffic congestion.
Completing the Lion Springs segment will help relieve delays for local and regional travelers by providing four travel lanes between Payson and the Mogollon Rim. The planned improvements will tie into the already widened sections of SR 260 east and west of the project.
Major elements of the project include:
- Adding one travel lane in each direction between mileposts (MP) 256 to 260.
- Constructing a center-turn lane between MP 256-258 and center median between MP 258-260.
- Constructing a new frontage road for the Diamond Point subdivision.
- Constructing three wildlife crossovers.
- Improving and/or installing drainage and sediment-control facilities, including culverts, pipes and ditches.
- Removing, replacing and extending guardrail, as necessary.
ADOT is planning to host a community open house in spring 2024 to provide area residents and businesses an opportunity to view the design plans for the corridor and speak with members of the project team. Details on the location, date and time will be finalized early next year.
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