Caltrans Opens

New Tex Wash Bridge Friday 



State of California • Department of Transportation 

Riverside, Friday September 25th, Just in time for weekend travelers to or from Arizona, Caltrans and its partners opened the new eastbound Interstate 10 Tex Wash Bridge one week earlier than expected, just two months since the July rain

storm washed away the original bridge. The vital thoroughfare near Desert Center in Riverside County carries thousands of commuters and commercial vehicles daily.

A severe July 19 rain storm washed out the preexisting eastbound span of Tex Wash Bridge on I-10, closing the interstate in both directions between Coachella and the Arizona State Line. The five-day closure had national repercussions--40 percent of the nation’s imports flow through Southern California ports to other states, like Arizona. Of the I-10 Tex Wash Bridge’s average daily 24,000 vehicles, about 9,500 are trucks. 

“Interstate 10 is a major goods movement artery and a critical lifeline for residents in the desert,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “Caltrans has restored roads severely affected by the harsh force of nature before, and we will do it again. This is what we do best.”   

Following the flash floods from the severe rain storm, Caltrans immediately assessed the other 58 bridges within 30 miles east and west of Desert Center, and found them safe and Construction crews worked around the clock to demolish the washed out bridge and build its replacement. Precast materials were transported from Perris, California to accelerate the work schedule and crews worked through Labor Day to expedite the emergency project.

The new eastbound bridge opened early due to the partnership and commitment of the Federal Highway Administration, Caltrans, Granite Construction, multiple local agencies, elected officials, and the patience of the motoring public.

The newly built eastbound bridge is currently open to one lane of travel. Construction crews are diligently working to re-strip the second lane, which will open to traffic by the close of business today.

Motorists can expect westbound I-10 to be restored to two lanes by tomorrow mid-afternoon Friday, September 25th. Various traffic breaks are necessary to remove the k-rail and re-stripe westbound I-10 between 4:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Traffic breaks may last up to ten minutes in duration.

Please be aware of the work and SLOW FOR THE CONE ZONE!

For information on other projects follow Caltrans District 8 on Twitter at

https://twitter.com/Caltrans8. View traffic conditions at http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov.