Construction to delay traffic on I-19

A number of delays are expected along Interstate 19 Tuesday and Wednesday as workers make slight repairs to various off ramps and roadways.

According to an Arizona Department of Transportation release, the northbound and southbound right lanes of I-19 between Irvington Road and El Toro Road will be closed Tuesday as ADOT workers apply a new layer of asphalt to the shoulder.

The repairs will begin at 8 a.m. and are expected to end at 3 p.m., the release said.

According to ADOT Public Information Officer Linda Ritter, the asphalt is being applied in order to reinforce the roadways.

“It’s a light application of emulcified asphal,” Ritter said. “It protects the roadway the way paint protects wood. It protects the roadway from wear and tear and environmental factors.”

That same day, workers will also be applying new asphalt to the Papago Road off ramps. The ramps will be closed one at a time, each for about 45 minutes, in order to give workers time to finish repairs.

The following day, Wednesday, three separate ramps will be closed for the same repairs. The northbound and southbound off ramps for San Xavier Road, Pima Mine Road and Sahuarita Road will be closed one at a time. The whole process is expected to last no longer than about 45 minutes for each ramp.

“It’s just a very light application,” Ritter said. The work is expected to begin at 8 a.m., she said.