I-10 Flood Damage Under Repair, One Eastbound Lane Reopens Friday

BLYTHE, CA — Drivers traveling from California to Arizona were still being rerouted Friday as repairs are being made to the Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway (I-10) in Riverside County near the state border. Floodwaters destroyed a section of the multi-lane eastbound roadway this week, tearing away the earth and destroying flood channels with the swift-moving water and debris.

A single eastbound I-10 lane remained open Friday, offering some relief. Still, drivers should expect major delays east of Highway 177 near Desert Center until Blythe.

Road closures began east of Indio and multiple detours were recommended for drivers heading toward Arizona. Meanwhile, the soil on either side of the roadway remained super saturated from the torrential downpours that flooded the area.

The stretch of the eastbound 10 Freeway was flooded east of Corn Springs Road at approximately 6:40 p.m. Wednesday, prompting the closure of all eastbound lanes, according to the California Highway Patrol. Photos from the scene showed the pavement completely washed away. Westbound lanes were unaffected.

Despite the significant damage, crews managed to get an eastbound lane of traffic open slightly before 8 a.m. Thursday, according to Caltrans.

The resulting traffic was slow and go for most of the day, though drivers lined up to maneuver their way over hastily poured asphalt paths.

"One lane going EB I-10 has reopened from Desert Center to Blythe!" Caltrans proudly announced on Twitter Thursday morning. "Detour lanes are what washed out, crews were able to reopen the other EB I-10 lane.

"To avoid delays, use an alternate route, as only one lane is open."

On Wednesday another closure was also reported on state Route 177 due to downed power lines. Various detours were announced, including the use of northbound Interstate 15 to Interstate 40.

SR-177 also was reopened at about 8 a.m. Thursday, along with SR-78, Caltrans reported. The repair work was continuing.

Sharon Leath, a dispatcher with California Highway Patrol told the Los Angeles Times there were seven overturned tractor-trailers reported on Interstate 10 with one person injured during the storm event.

An overturned big rig along the freeway contributed to the massive backup on Wednesday along Interstate 10, which temporarily left some motorists stranded.

Eastbound state Route 62 opened from SR 177 to Interstate 95 at around 8 a.m. Thursday, but the westbound portion toward Twentynine Palms remains closed.

Caltrans recommended using Interstate 15 or Interstate 8 for those traveling to Arizona and eastbound.

City News Service contributed to this report.