Transportation officials say they’re ready to start the first of two repaving projects on Interstate 40 in northern Arizona.

The first phase costs about $14 million. Crews will repave 12 miles in both directions between Flagstaff and Williams. They’ll also install new guardrails and make minor repairs on a couple of overpasses.

The plan is to mill the pavement down a few inches, so a new layer of asphalt can be placed on top, said Ryan Harding, spokesman for the Arizona Department of Transportation.

“That’s in an area that sees a lot of snow and overnight freezes during the winter months,” Harding said. “Over time, that damages the pavement.”

The first project on I-40 should be done this summer, and work on the second phase will likely start next year, Harding said.