Accident on I-10 shuts down more of the freeway in the West Valley
Aug 25, 2018, 8:22 AM | Updated: 11:31 am
(AP Photo)
PHOENIX — A crash east of 67th Avenue on Interstate 10 westbound forced a closure of a portion of the freeway where nearby previously scheduled construction was taking place.
According to Arizona DPS, the collision involved three vehicles and resulted in a fatality.
This is now a fatality collision investigation involving three vehicles. We do not have an ETA to re-open. All vehicles will be exiting 51st ave. If you’re stuck between there and 67th, troopers are working to turn you around to go back to 51st. https://t.co/efQOD9hkZk
— Dept. Public Safety (@Arizona_DPS) August 25, 2018
The accident, which was first reported around 2:31 a.m., was still backing up traffic well past 9 a.m. on Saturday and caused other minor collisions behind the closure. None of the other collisions caused any injuries, only minor vehicle damage.
I-10 westbound remains closed at 51st Avenue because of a crash. Exit at or before 35th Ave to avoid the backup. Westbound is back open at 67th Ave. Alternate routes include US 60 (Grand Ave) or L-101. #Phxtraffic pic.twitter.com/OGHps9WikZ
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) August 25, 2018
It forced westbound traffic to exit at 51st Avenue and then take Frontage Road to reenter the freeway at 67th Avenue.
The traffic flow was reopened shortly after 11 a.m. on Saturday morning, according to ADOT.
OPENING NOW: I-10 westbound has reopened at 51st Avenue after an earlier crash. It’ll take a few minutes to get all lanes open. There’s only a minimal backup. #PhxTraffic pic.twitter.com/gLso1TGUq7
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) August 25, 2018
Westbound construction was set to begin on Monday but construction on the eastbound portion of the freeway between 63rd and 43rd avenues was scheduled for 9 p.m. on Friday to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Westbound construction on the freeway was scheduled between 43rd and 59th avenues from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Wednesday nights.
It was not clear if the crash impacted the nearby construction or if anyone was hurt during the incident.
There was no estimated time of when the freeway would reopen and ADOT reported that no eastbound lanes were affected by the crash.