Alternate U.S. 89 (signed as U.S. 89A and legislatively designated as Utah 11) connects U.S. 89 in Kanab with the continuation of U.S. 89A in Fredonia, Arizona. This short route is only about four miles long within the state of Utah; the rest of the route continues south and then east toward the North Rim of the Grand Canyon before rejoining U.S. 89. We took pictures along this route in 2003, but changes were made to emphasize the U.S. 89A designation by 2011 (All 2011 pictures were taken by Landry Heaton).
Guide
U.S. 89A and Utah 11 north
The full size "Welcome to Utah" sign is posted at the Arizona-Utah state line; U.S. 89A enters Kane County and leaves Coconino County just south of Kanab. The 2003 sign promoted the state's hosting of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. By 2011, a new sign was erected in its place. Utah is the Beehive State, and Arizona is the Grand Canyon State. Photos taken 05/23/11 and 10/26/03.
U.S. 89A and Utah 11 enters the Beehive State as a two-lane highway. It will widen as it enters downtown Kanab. Photo taken 05/23/11 by Landry Heaton.
Back in our first visit in 1991, Utah 11 was primarily signed as Alternate U.S. 89. In 2003, northbound was primarly signed as Utah 11 north to U.S. 89. Southbound was primarly signed as Utah 11 south to U.S. 89A. In 2011, the Utah 11 signs were mostly eliminated and replaced with U.S. 89A signs once again. Photos taken 05/23/11 and 10/26/03.
Once in Kanab, northbound U.S. 89A and Utah 11 approach their intersection with U.S. 89. The city of Kanah is the county seat of Kane County and had a population of 3,564 as of the 2000 Census. While the area was settled in 1870, it was not incorporated as a city until 1935. A hub for those seeking magnificent Southwestern scenery, many visit Kanab as a starting point to see Zion National Park, Bryce National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park, among many other scenic areas. Photos taken 05/23/11.
Only three miles north of the state line, Utah 11 prepares to end at its junction with U.S. 89 in downtown Kanab. North U.S. 89 continues to Zion National Park, Bryce National Park, Panguitch, and Richfield. U.S. 89 south goes to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area/Lake Powell. Photo taken 10/24/03.
Northbound U.S. 89A and Utah 11 end at their intersection with U.S. 89. The end of U.S. 89A is signed with an END shield as of 2011, and Utah 11 was not mentioned. Turn right for U.S. 89 south (east) toward Grand Staircase-Escalante, or continue straight ahead for U.S. 89 north toward Zion and Bryce. Photos taken 07/31/09 and 05/23/11 by Landry Heaton.
Back in 2003, an END Utah 11 shield was posted at the intersection with U.S. 89 in downtown Kanab. U.S. 89A was not mentioned. This route marker assembly was replaced by the 2011 END shield assembly shown above. Photo taken 10/26/03.
U.S. 89A and Utah 11 south
In 2003, the first southbound Utah 11 and U.S. 89A shields were posted on this green guide sign immediately after the traffic light located at the intersection between Utah 11 and U.S. 89 in Kanab. By 2011, they were replaced as shown in the May 2011 picture. Photos taken 05/23/11 and 10/26/03.
This picture provides a close-up of the green guide sign and the shields for Utah 11 and U.S. 89A from 2003. Photo taken 10/26/03.
This END Utah 11 shield was posted at Arizona-Utah State Line south of Kanab. Alternate U.S. 89 continues south toward Fredonia, Jacob Lake, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Photo taken 10/26/03.
Southbound travelers are greeted by this Arizona welcome sign upon crossing the state line (located after the site of the former END Utah 11 shield assembly). Alternate U.S. 89 (U.S. 89A) continues south into the city of Fredonia. Photo taken 10/26/03.
