Sedona and ADOT Fail to Clarify 179 Crosswalk Closures

The city of Sedona is facing challenges in confirming whether the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has granted permission for temporary closures of the State Route 179 crosswalk at Tlaquepaque.

Currently, the city has implemented closures using movable gates, directing pedestrians to an underpass beneath State Route 179. While the crosswalk spans approximately 70 feet, the alternate route via the underpass extends about 560 feet.

State Law

ADOT holds jurisdiction over SR 179, meaning Sedona cannot legally close the crosswalk without express permission from the department, as stipulated by state law.

Arizona Revised Statutes Title 28 outlines the regulations concerning pedestrian movement:

• ARS §28-627: Cities can manage vehicle traffic through municipal employees but lack authority over pedestrian traffic.
• ARS §28-791(B): Cities may prohibit pedestrians from crossing highways or roads “except in a crosswalk.”
• ARS §28-793(A): Pedestrians can cross roads anywhere other than marked crosswalks, provided they yield to vehicles.
• ARS §28-793(B): Crossing is allowed at designated overhead crossings or tunnels, again yielding to vehicles.

Encroachment Permit

According to the permit issued for the underpass construction, the city must maintain the at-grade crosswalk until completing a pedestrian warrant analysis. If ADOT concludes the crossing isn’t warranted, it must be removed.

Should ADOT find the crosswalk necessary, Sedona will be tasked with studying the potential addition of an electronic pedestrian signal.

City of Sedona

“We are still drafting the warrant analysis data with adjacent landowners,” said Kurt Harris, Director of Public Works, on May 29. He noted that preliminary data cannot be shared until all stakeholders agree on it. “I cannot provide a timeline for when the findings will be available,” Harris added.

The city typically closes the crosswalk during peak traffic hours to mitigate congestion. “ADOT and adjacent businesses have been informed about our operations at the crosswalk,” he said, explaining that closures usually occur when traffic becomes heavy.

However, details about specific closure dates over the past six months remain unavailable. Harris cited challenges in compiling this data but indicated that peak congestion typically occurs Friday through Sunday and during holidays, between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. He emphasized that the crosswalk remains open during inclement weather and was operational throughout certain weekends during spring break.

ADOT

In response to inquiries about whether ADOT has permitted any temporary crosswalk closures, spokesman Doug Nintzel stated, “The warrant analysis is necessary under ADOT’s Traffic Guidelines, which govern encroachment permits and other related matters.” He mentioned that regional staff would soon receive an update from Sedona regarding the crosswalk operations and any related study work.

When pressed further about specific permissions for closures, Nintzel reiterated that staff in Flagstaff will assess what measures the city has undertaken concerning the crosswalk and will communicate with Sedona shortly.