Gila River Bridge damage snarls Maricopa traffic

One lane of eastbound Interstate 10 has reopened south of the Phoenix area at the Gila River Bridge as crews continue to make repairs to the bridge’s concrete deck, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Early Tuesday morning, eastbound lanes were closed when law enforcement reported that an area of the eastbound I-10 Gila River Bridge’s concrete deck had worn through to the underlying rebar.

ADOT staff on site, in consultation with bridge engineers, have determined that the bridge is safe for travel.

One eastbound lane will remain open until a full closure of eastbound I-10 goes into place this evening so that repairs can be made. Both eastbound lanes will be closed from 10 tonight to 6 a.m. Wednesday. One lane will reopen Wednesday morning because the concrete that will be used to make repairs requires additional time to cure.

The speed limit in this work zone has been reduced to 35 miles per hour to give crews a safe environment to do their work. Motorists are advised to expect delays.

UPDATE 7:45 a.m., June 25: A crash on the shoulder of northbound SR 347, between northern city limits and Casa Blanca Road, is impacting drivers, according to ADOT.

Northbound traffic appears to remain heavy at the Casa Blanca intersection.

ORIGINAL 7:23 a.m., June 25: A massive closure on Interstate 10 is impacting Maricopa commuters today.

Eastbound I-10 is closed between Riggs Road and Casa Blanca Road due to “an issue with the bridge deck.”

Interstate traffic is exiting the freeway at Riggs Road and is diverting to southbound State Routes 87 and 587, according to ADOT.

However, ADOT cameras show lines of traffic on westbound Riggs Road turning onto SR 347 and turning from southbound SR 347 onto Casa Blanca Road.

“There is no estimated time to reopen the eastbound lanes,” according to an ADOT statement. “The westbound lanes are unaffected.”

Check traffic cameras here .

This post Gila River Bridge damage snarls Maricopa traffic appeared first on InMaricopa .