Roadwork underway on fragile I-10 freeway link between California, Phoenix
Heavy rains in the California desert collapsed a bridge on Interstate 10 eight years ago, snarling traffic for about five days on the key route linking Southern California and Arizona.
Last year, storms washed out a stretch of I-10 at nearly the same place east of the Palm Springs area, frustrating motorists and truckers for four days.
Given the problems with flooding, and to ensure traffic flows smoothly, California’s Department of Transportation, or Caltrans, has been busy repaving and upgrading parts of Interstate 10, which runs 2,400 miles from the California coast at Santa Monica to Florida’s Atlantic coast at Jacksonville.
California officials are warning of rain, wind, potential flash flooding and possible power outages starting Sunday from Hurricane Hilary moving east off the Pacific Ocean.
One current I-10 construction project extends about 13 miles through hilly desert terrain from east of Indio to the Cactus City rest area. The improvements include repaving, an eastbound lane for trucks that struggle on an uphill climb, new guardrails and drainage upgrades.
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"Due to heavy traffic volumes on this major east-west connector route, the existing roadway pavement periodically needs repair to restore its structural integrity and ride quality to transport goods and people through Southern California," Caltrans said in a statement.
The project also includes installation of solar-powered charging stations for electric vehicles at the Cactus City rest stop.
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Work has begun and is expected to extend into 2026.
Caltrans also has been working on a pavement-rehabilitation project on I-10 farther east, from Desert Center to near the Wiley’s Well rest area west of the Colorado River town of Blythe.
From Aug. 21 to 25, basically, during daylight hours, Caltrans said segments of a westbound temporary detour lane will be shifting back to the main lane.
Crews will be performing both concrete and asphalt paving and might close lanes and ramps. As part of that project, crews have removed a substantial amount of vegetation between the two eastbound lanes and the two westbound lanes.
In terms of possible heavy storms moving through the area, Emily Leinen, a Caltrans spokeswoman, indicated the agency will be ready.
“Crews have been very active in the construction zone and will be available to respond to all types of situations, should anything occur,” she said in an email.
Reach the writer at russ.wiles@arizonarepublic.com.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hurricane Hilary again threatens Arizona freeway link to California
