Commuters heaved a collective sigh of relief as the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 south of Phoenix reopened partially, following an emergency shutdown due to a significant infrastructure concern. FOX10 Phoenix reported that the closure was initiated yesterday morning at milepost 173, after the roadway was compromised by a hole at the Gila River Bridge.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) swung into action when they discovered that an expanse of the bridge's concrete deck had deteriorated, exposing the underlying rebar. To manage the immediate danger and maintain at least a flux of vehicle passage, a temporary metal plate was positioned, stated ADOT. Nevertheless, restrictions are in place, with eastbound traffic narrowed down to one lane until the anticipated completion of repairs at 5 a.m. tomorrow.
Drivers navigating this stretch of I-10 should prepare for delays, as the speed limit has been dropped to 35 mph within the repair zone. According to FOX10 Phoenix, these bridges, dating back to 1964, are due for a comprehensive overhaul—a task set to be undertaken by the Wild Horse Pass Corridor Project over the next years.
ABC15 provided further clarity on the incident, noting that the abrupt degradation of I-10's bridge infrastructure was leading to a second overnight closure, with one lane reopening around 6 a.m. on Wednesday. The remaining lane will continue to be off-limits as the concrete repairs cure. Notably, the westbound lanes have not been affected by this structural duress.
The condition of the nation’s bridges is categorized by the Federal Highway Administration as either Poor, Fair, or Good. In what may come as a small comfort to some, the Gila River Bridge carries a "fair" grade. ADOT told ABC15, "The issue is affecting one lane of the two-lane bridge. ADOT personnel have placed a metal plate to clear residual traffic. Engineers will inspect the bridge before traffic is restored. This issue is unrelated to the current project to replace the I-10 Gila River Bridges with modern, three-lane spans."
