PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation is advising drivers that plan to travel overnight on Interstate 10 between Tucson and Benson on Friday, March 8 to consider altering their travel plans or prepare for a 67-mile detour due to a bridge demolition project.
Approximately 30 miles east of downtown Tucson, I-10 is scheduled to be closed in both directions from 9 p.m. March 8 until 6 a.m. Saturday, March 9 for the removal of the old Pantano Union Pacific Railroad Bridge.
During the demolition, motorists will be guided by signs through a 67-mile detour around the I-10 closure, which is between State Route 83 east of Tucson (Exit 281) and SR 90 west of Benson (Exit 302). Drivers can expect up to two hours of additional travel time. ADOT strongly advises avoiding this segment of I-10 during the closure.
By removing the Pantano Union Pacific Railroad Bridge, most commercial trucks will be able to travel on I-10 through the project area. The existing bridge is too low for many of today’s taller trucks, which are currently required to take a detour using state routes 83, 82 and 90.
Detour for eastbound I-10
· Eastbound I-10 traffic will detour to SR 83 (Exit 281), travel south to SR 82 in Sonoita, turn left (east) on SR 82 to the SR 90 intersection, turn left (west) onto SR 90 and follow signs to reconnect with I-10 near Benson (Exit 302).
Detour for westbound I-10
· Westbound I-10 traffic will detour from the interstate at SR 90 (Exit 302), travel east to the SR 82 intersection, turn right (west) on SR 82 and travel to SR 83 in Sonoita, and turn right (north) on SR 83 to reconnect with I-10 at Exit 281.
For more information about ADOT projects and programs across Arizona, see the agency’s latest blog posts. The ADOT Traveler Information Center system can be reached by calling 511 from within Arizona or at www.az511.gov.