Motorists traveling along US 60 between Phoenix and Globe on Thursday morning need to allow extra time as the Arizona Department of Transportation begins blasting work.

It's part of a project to build a new passing lane and widen roadway shoulders east of Superior.

The construction of the 2-mile-long climbing lane from Devil’s Canyon to Oak Flat will require a full closure of US 60 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

ADOT anticipates the highway will be closed briefly once a week for blasting for up to three months.