Work Progressing on I-10 Bridge Repair Project

Prefabricated bridge girders will be set in place during the coming week, part of the rebuilding of an eastbound freeway bridge that collapsed during a July 19 rainstorm, forcing a five-day closure of Interstate 10 in Desert Center.

Precast freeway girders are being made in Perris, and will be delivered this coming weekend to the site of the collapsed Tex Wash Bridge, Caltrans officials said.

Pouring of concrete for the main bridge is scheduled for mid-September, and crews will continue working through the Labor Day holiday weekend to ensure the $5 million emergency repair project remains on schedule for completion in late September.

A 30-foot section of bridge collapsed, 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 to get traffic moving again. The westbound side of the bridge was reopened July 24, with one lane of traffic in each direction.

With traffic moving again, crews 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 entails 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 have been reduced to 45 mph, according to Caltrans.

On July 23, federal officials announced the availability of $2 million in funding to help cover costs associated with the rebuilding.

“About 20,000 drivers use this bridge each day, traveling between Arizona and California,” U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said. “It is a critical piece of infrastructure for the people in both states, and DOT is committed to doing everything we can to help the area rebuild quickly and safely.”

The funds were provided through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief program.

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.

Delays in the area have averaged about 10 minutes, Caltrans officials said, but motorists are advised to expect slightly longer delays because of increased traffic volume during the coming holiday weekend.

--City News Service, photos courtesy of CalTrans