ADOT photo Crews will use heavy equipment to break up and haul away an estimated 45,000 tons (40,823 t) of rocks, dirt and clay from this rocky slope on westbound Interstate 40, about 6 mi. (9.65 km) west of Holbrook.

To protect driver safety, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is moving a mountain on the north side of Interstate 40, about 6 mi. (9.65 km) west of Holbrook.

The I-40 Rock-Fall Mitigation Safety Project began in January on westbound I-40 near Joseph City. There, decades of erosion has undermined one of the rocky slopes that dates back to construction of the interstate in northeastern Arizona. Now it's slowly crumbling onto the shoulder of the busy highway. While a temporary concrete barrier is preventing chunks of rocks and clay from falling into travel lanes, this safety project offers a permanent solution. The following lane restriction will be in place through March:

• Westbound I-40 is narrowed to one lane at milepost 279 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. The lane closure will allow crews to work safely on the north shoulder.

Drivers should be prepared to merge into the left-hand travel lane and observe reduced speed limits in the work zone.

During the project, crews will use heavy equipment to break up and haul away an estimated 45,000 tons (40,823 t) of rocks, dirt and clay — enough to fill a space 4 ft. (1.2 m) deep, 900 ft. (274 m) long and 200 ft. (61 m) wide. Because work is occurring off the main highway, ADOT anticipates only minimal impacts to drivers; however, ADOT cautions motorists to drive carefully through the work zone and focus on the roadway instead of the construction activity.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions and closures, but it's possible that unscheduled impacts might occur because of weather or other factors.

For more information, visit www.az511.gov.

Today's top stories

Webber LLC Nears End of I-35 at SH 123 Project in Texas

Hyundai Expands Tracked Dozer Line With Introduction of HD130 Model

Brasfield & Gorrie Leads $330M Coca-Cola UNITED New HQ Project

UMaine Building $82M Research Facility; Sen. Collins Helps Secure $133M for Bridge Replacements

Kubota Forms Alliance to Raise Funds, Awareness for Programs for Vets

Papé Machinery, ShoulderMaster Tout Strategic Partnership

Port of Kalama Receives $26.3M Grant to Help Port Speed Grain to Market

Topcon Addresses World's Water Insecurity Through Wine to Water Filter Build Event