I-10 CLOSURE BRINGS 15,000 VEHICLES A DAY TO THE MORONGO BASIN

The bridge collapse on Interstate 10 in Desert Center has completely shut down the freeway east of Dillon Road in Indio. Early estimates are that repairs to the freeway bridge could take as long as two months. Traffic is being re-routed to the south on Highway 86 and to the north on Highway 62. As a result of the detour, the Morongo Basin area is expected to experience heavier-than-normal traffic on Highway 62—possibly as many as 15,000 additional vehicles per day. The California Highway Patrol urges local residents to use alternate routes off the highway to reduce the amount of traffic on Highway 62. Pedestrians and bicyclists should take extra care when traveling the highway, and everyone is encouraged to cross the highway at stoplight intersections.