The Arizona Department of Transportation will close both directions of Interstate 10 east of Tucson and west of Benson from 9 p.m. Friday (April 8) until 7 a.m. Saturday (April 9) to provide a safe work zone for the removal of the old Marsh Station Bridge and the Mescal Road/J-Six Ranch Road Bridge, which was damaged by a fire on March 15, 2011.
The closure will take place between State Route 83 east of Tucson (exit 281) and SR 90 near Benson (exit 302) to allow crews to remove the bridges.
During the demolition project, motorists will be guided by signs through a 67-mile detour around the closure. Drivers can expect up to two hours of additional travel time. ADOT strongly advises avoiding this segment of I-10 during the closure.
Please note that from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on April 8, there will be lane closures on eastbound and westbound I-10 in the immediate area of each bridge to prepare for the bridge removal later that night. Speeds will be reduced and one lane will remain open in each direction.
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 (north) 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 south to the SR 82 intersection, turn right (west) on SR 82 and travel to SR 83 in Sonoita, turn right (north) on SR 83 to reconnect with I-10 at exit 281.
Residents in the area along I-10 between SR 90 to SR 83
For more information regarding local access, please visit www.azdot.gov/marshstation or contact Sr. Community Relations Officer Linda Ritter at 520-388-4266 or lritter@azdot.gov.
For those traveling that night, please note the following 24-hour gasoline station locations:
I-10 and SR 90
The junction of SR 90 and SR 82
Colossal Cave Road/Wentworth Road (exit 279) (Note: This is the last gas station on eastbound I-10 before the detour onto SR 83.)
SR 82 and 83 (Note: Two stores with fuel pumps are located in this area and the stores will be closed, but the fuel pumps at both locations are open 24 hours for credit card purchases.)
The demolition and removal of this bridge is part of a $10 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act project and ADOT’s continued investment in Arizona’s interstate highway system. The project includes the new Marsh Station traffic interchange, the extension of Marsh Station Road, drainage improvements and the realignment of approximately three miles of the Union Pacific Railroad line to the north of I-10.
ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone and detours with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.
ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.
