Congestion Expected When I-10 Bridge Reopens Friday

Photo courtesy of CalFire Riverside & Caltrans

By City News Service

Although traffic is scheduled to begin moving again Friday on Interstate 10 in Desert Center, where a bridge collapsed during heavy weekend rains and forced the closure of the freeway, state transportation officials warned today that traffic will be heavier and slower than usual.

“We do expect some delays because we’re taking four lanes down to two,” said Tyeisha Prunty, spokeswoman for Caltrans District 8. “We’re hoping that they’re minor, however we’re asking the public to be mindful that there are still alternate routes.”

Caltrans officials announced Tuesday that the normally four-lane bridge over the Tex Wash will partially reopen Friday, with just one lane of traffic in each direction -- using the two usually westbound-only lanes. Repair crews will then focus on the eastbound side of the freeway to eventually get all four lanes reopened.

PREVIOUSLY:

• Contractor Hired to Fix Collapsed I-10 Bridge
• Local Tourism Holding Up Despite I-10 Closure
• Official: Freeway Bridge Failure Surprising
• Bridge Collapsed in Desert Center, Trapping Truck Beneath
• Severe Thunderstorm Floods Parts of Riverside
• I-10 Closes Indefinitely at Desert Center After Flood Washed Out Bridge
• Supervisors to Proclaim County Emergency Due to I-10 Closure
• Collapsed I-10 Bridge to Reopen Friday

Caltrans officials said engineers were still assessing the job requirements for reconstructing the eastbound bridge and a timetable for getting the freeway back to full capacity could come in the next couple of days.

The 30-foot section of bridge collapsed Sunday afternoon, cutting off the primary route for motorists traveling between California and Arizona. The 10 freeway was closed between State Route 86 and the Arizona state line.

Granite Construction Inc. was awarded an emergency contract Monday to conduct the repair work.

Repairs were also made on two other bridges on the freeway -- Adair Ditch Bridge and Hillock Ditch Bridge -- that were found to be in need of upgrades.

Even with part of the bridge reopening, motorists were still being advised to avoid I-10 travel and use detour routes such as Arizona Route 95 to Interstate 40 or Interstate 8 to State Route 111 to Route 86 to get around the closure. Another option is State Route 177 to State Route 62, then back onto Interstate 10.

“We will continue to advise the public about the availability of detours,” Prunty said.