Freeway traffic diverted through Safford and Duncan
By Jon Johnson
SAN SIMON – The I-10 freeway was closed at the intersection with U.S. Highway 191 North early Thursday afternoon and traffic was once again diverted through Safford and Duncan.
Eastbound traffic was diverted onto U.S. Highway 191 and westbound traffic was closed at Lordsburg, N.M. and was diverted onto U.S. Highway 70.
This happened several times last year during the same season. The detour is approximately 110 miles long and brings freeway traffic through Safford and Duncan.
The Greenlee Sheriff’s Office is reporting that there are numerous bicyclists between Duncan and Safford and they are attempting to get Arizona Department of Transportation employees to offer rides to the cyclists due to danger because of the increased amount of traffic.
Previously, the blowing dust was from a fallow field in the San Simon area. The dust blankets the freeway, giving poor viewing conditions and has been the cause of multiple collisions. According to ADOT, this time it is dust blowing in New Mexico that is the culprit.
As of 2 p.m., the freeway was still closed, according to ADOT. To view statewide closures and restrictions in real time visit ADOT’s traffic map at http://www.az511.gov/traffic/.
