Ribbon-Cutting Scheduled Wednesday for I-10 Bridge Reopening

State and local officials will cut a ribbon tomorrow commemorating the reopening of a freeway bridge that collapsed during a heavy summer rainstorm, forcing a five-day closure of Interstate 10 and cutting off the major route between Los Angeles and Phoenix.

The eastbound side of the Interstate 10 bridge reopened to traffic last Thursday -- a week earlier than expected -- because construction of the $5 million Tex Wash Bridge emergency repair project progressed faster than anticipated. The westbound side of the bridge had been previously repaired and was carrying one lane of traffic in both directions while work continued on the eastbound side.

“Interstate 10 is a major goods movement artery and a critical lifeline for residents in the desert,’’ Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty said.

“Caltrans has restored roads severely affected by the harsh force of nature before, and we’ll do it again. This is what we do best.’’

Caltrans officials will be on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, along with Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella, and Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit.

A 30-foot section of the bridge collapsed July 19, forcing the closure of the 10 Freeway between state Route 86 and the Arizona state line.

Granite Construction Inc. was awarded an emergency contract to get traffic moving again. The westbound side of the bridge was reopened July 24, with one lane of traffic in each direction.

Crews then turned their attention to rebuilding the eastbound bridge and restoring Interstate 10 to full capacity. The project required the complete demolition of the existing eastbound bridge, and entailed the placement of rock
slope protection in the channel below and rebuilding the bridge in an accelerated fashion.

During the roadwork, traffic speeds in the area were reduced to 45 mph. On July 23, federal officials announced the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx noted that “about 20,000 drivers use this bridge each day, traveling between Arizona and California,’’ calling it ”a critical piece of infrastructure for the people in
both states.’’

The funds were provided through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief program. Repairs were also made on two other nearby bridges on the freeway -- Adair Ditch Bridge and Hillock Ditch Bridge -- that were found to be in need of upgrades.

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By City News Service

Photo courtesy of Cal Fire Riverside