Traffic is expected to return to four lanes in West Sedona by this weekend.

According to city of Sedona Public Works Director and City Engineer Charles Mosley, traffic should open back up, from two lanes to four, as early as Saturday, Jan. 14. Crews with CPC Construction, the firm hired for the work, are expected to be on site for at least two weeks as they perform additional work, he said, but the lanes are not expected to close again.

Construction on the West Sedona drainage improvement project, located near Tortilla Drive, was halted follow a dispute between the contractor and city, but began again Jan. 3 following New Year’s weekend.

Crews initially waited on an amended permit from the Arizona Department of Transportation allowing them to reduce traffic flow from two lanes to one lane in either direction during the course of the work, which includes construction of a large drainage culvert beneath the roadway.

“The contractors are putting the pipe under the road,” Mosley said. “After they put the pipe under the road there’s some concrete work that they need to do to replace the curb and gutter that may affect the road along the edges. It looks like they’re making good progress getting the pipe under the road.

“They’re anticipating that work may take a few weeks to get done off to the side of the road. The lanes should be open.” Soil on the project held well enough to place the pipe in Mosley’s opinion. Construction slowed on the project due to soil concerns on the site.

“That’s something that will probably be part of a continuing discussion between the city and the contractor,” Mosley said.

A second road project also began Dec. 12 along State Route 89A near the Sedona Shadows subdivision south of the city. ADOT crews are working to add a lane on the northbound side of the roadway for approximately a quarter mile. The lane is designed to allow vehicles a chance to come up to speed before they enter traffic. ADOT crews are allowing 130 working days to complete the project.

Mackenzie Kirby, spokeswoman for ADOT, said work is expected to wrap up in March on the project.

“The project is moving along nicely and scheduled for completion in March,” Kirby said.

Combs Construction is working on the ADOT project and will complete an overlay project, which will include continuous roadway lighting in West Sedona. That work is expected to begin soon.

Patrick Whitehurst can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 125, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it