I-10 Bridge Repair to Cost $5 Million

By City News Service

Rebuilding an eastbound freeway bridge that collapsed amid heavy rain, completely shutting down Interstate 10 in Desert Center, is expected to cost about $5 million and take until late September, Caltrans officials said.

Granite Construction Inc. was awarded an emergency contract to restore traffic through the busy thoroughfare and performed work to modify the two-lane westbound bridge to accommodate one lane of traffic in each direction, allowing for Interstate 10 to be reopened last Friday.

Strengthening that bridge required 1,400 truckloads of fill dirt and 2,500 tons of asphalt concrete, according to officials from Caltrans District 8.

With the temporary solution completed, work turned fully to rebuilding the eastbound bridge and restoring Interstate 10 to full capacity. The project requires the complete demolition of the existing bridge, placement of rock slope protection in the channel, then rebuilding of the bridge using accelerated bridge construction techniques.

During the roadwork, traffic speeds have been reduced to 45 miles per hour, according to Caltrans.

The 30-foot section of the bridge collapsed on the afternoon of July 19, 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.

On Thursday, federal officials announced the immediate 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 relief funds will be 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.

With part of the bridge reopened, state transportation officials warned that traffic will be heavier and slower than usual.

Motorists are still being advised to avoid I-10 travel when possible 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.