PHOENIX – With trucks spraying water, first responders standing by to close Interstate 10 when conditions warrant, and air quality and agriculture representatives advising the land owner, state agencies are working to reduce the risk from dust blowing off recently plowed farmland in southeastern Arizona. 

The Arizona Department of Transportation and Arizona Department of Public Safety have closed 60-plus miles of I-10 several times in recent weeks as dust has severely limited visibility at milepost 376 near the New Mexico state line. That has sent traffic on a 110-mile detour from US 191 east of Willcox and from US 70 near Lordsburg, New Mexico, through Safford.

Over the weekend, ADOT began using eight tanker trucks to haul water, transferring it to two larger tankers belonging to a local contractor that are used to spray water in hopes of creating a layer of wind-resistant crust. The trucks have given an initial watering to more than 320 acres of the 640 acres responsible for most of the dust restricting visibility on the interstate.

“We’ve mobilized these forces on a short-term basis to help ensure safety and maintain mobility,” said Jesse Gutierrez, ADOT’s deputy state engineer for statewide operations.

Representatives of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and Arizona Department of Agriculture are working with the land owner on best practices for reducing dust.

Meanwhile, ADOT employees and Arizona State Troopers are stationed along I-10 near the field and are ready to immediately close the interstate when conditions warrant. With strong winds in the forecast for the coming weekend, more closures are a possibility even after trucks have given the field an initial watering.

“We realize that closing I-10 for an extended period is a hardship for motorists, for drivers of commercial vehicles and for those along the lengthy detour route, but in this case the safest option is the only option,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “ADOT and other state agencies are collaborating to improve highway safety and also limit the economic and time costs created by these dust closures.”

The agencies are keeping track of their use of state resources to reduce dust, improve highway safety and limit disruption of the I-10 corridor and will work with the land owner to arrange reimbursement.  The owner is cooperating with these efforts, but the Department of Environmental Quality can require action should that change.

“ADEQ continues to work diligently with the other state agencies and the cooperating farmer to find meaningful short- and long-term solutions to the dust issue,” said Misael Cabrera, director of the Department of Environmental Quality. “ADEQ does have enforcement authority to address excessive dust issues but reserves those actions for cases when a property owner or company does not take the required steps to solve ongoing environmental violations.”

PHOENIX – With strong winds in the forecast, especially for Friday, the Arizona Department of Transportation is taking steps to enhance safety on a stretch of Interstate 10 in southeastern Arizona that has seen significant blowing dust. That includes coordinating with the Arizona Department of Public Safety to close the highway when conditions warrant.

Dust blowing from a recently plowed tract of land near San Simon has severely limited visibility at times in the past week, prompting ADOT and DPS to close 62 miles of I-10 between US 191 and Lordsburg, New Mexico, on several occasions.

ADOT has reduced the speed limit along five miles of I-10 (mileposts 375-380) from 75 mph to 65 mph as long as visibility isn’t significantly affected. When conditions warrant, highway crews will reduce the limit to 45 mph by placing temporary signs.

ADOT also is using overhead message signs and portable message boards to advise drivers about weather conditions, including possible strong winds and blowing dust, and the lower speed limit.

ADOT and DPS will continue to monitor National Weather Service forecasts, which at this time call for strong winds in excess of 40 mph across much of Arizona on Friday. If there is a closure, eastbound traffic will be directed to US 191 and US 70 through Safford, re-entering I-10 at Lordsburg, New Mexico, while westbound traffic will do the reverse.

Those using I-10 through southeastern Arizona should be aware of the possibility of a closure and allow extra travel time.

Drivers should remain alert to possible blowing dust at other times this week and avoid driving into a dust storm or area with severe dust conditions. If you can’t avoid severe dust, consider the following tips that are included in ADOT’s “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” public safety campaign:

• Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway; do it as soon as possible. Completely exit the highway if you can.
• If caught by a dust storm, immediately check traffic around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down.
• Do not stop in a travel lane or in the emergency lane. Look for a safe place to pull completely off the paved portion of the roadway.
• Turn off all vehicle lights, including your emergency flashers.
• Set your emergency brake and take your foot off the brake.
• Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelts buckled and wait for the dust to subside.

For the most current information about highway closures and restrictions statewide, visit ADOT’s Travel Information Site at az511.gov or call 511. Highway information also is available by following ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT).