Home » General » Dust Storm Crashes Close I-10 West

Dust Storm Crashes Close I-10 West

Haboo Dust Storms Arizona

Arizona dust storms are becoming more prevalent as developments disrupt protective desert topsoils and agricultural fields lie fallow

Sedona AZ (October 29, 2013)  – Westbound Arizona Interstate 10 is closed this afternoon following multiple crashes in the Picacho Peak area, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. The left two lanes of Eastbound AZ I-10 are also closed.

The crashes occurred between milepost 214 and 216, with at least one fatality, and are believed to be related to blowing dust. There is no indication when the Interstate 10 freeway will reopen.

Drivers are advised to stay alert because strong winds can result in sudden periods of limited or zero visibility due to blowing dust, especially in desert areas. Motorists play an important role in safety when operating their vehicles during a dust storm.

ADOT and the Arizona Department of Public Safety recommend the following driving tips when encountering a low-visibility dust storm:

Avoid driving into or through a dust storm.

If you encounter a dust storm, check traffic immediately around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down.

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, away from where other vehicles may travel.

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 storm to pass.

ADOT photoDrivers of high-profile vehicles should be especially aware of changing weather conditions and travel at reduced speeds.

Be alert that any storm can cause power outages to overhead roadway lighting and traffic signals. Drive with caution and treat all intersections without signals as having stop signs in all directions.

For more information driving tips, please visit PullAsideStayAlive.org.

For the most current information about highway closures and restrictions statewide, visit ADOT’s Travel Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow us on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 5-1-1. Follow the SedonaEye.com for travel updates.

cline road

1 Comment

  1. Overnight closures reduced to two this week on I-17 south of Camp Verde – Traffic will be stopped twice between 11:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m.

    Overnight work on Interstate 17 will require two one-hour closures between 11:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m. this week as part of the climbing lane project south of Camp Verde.

    Tonight, Tuesday, Oct. 29 through Thursday, Oct. 31, I-17 will be closed up to one hour, two separate times, between 11:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m. for work that includes blasting and clean up.

    The first closure will be from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., the second closure will be from 2:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.

    Northbound I-17 will be stopped at State Route 169 and southbound I-17 traffic will be stopped at General Crook Trail until the work is completed and the roadway is reopened.

    In addition to the full closures, drivers can expect single-lane restrictions in both directions through the work zone between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Monday night through Friday morning.

    During construction, bicyclists are not permitted through the project work zone as the shoulders along I-17 are closed.

Leave a Reply

Copyright © 2008-2017 · Sedona Eye · All Rights Reserved · Posts · Comments · Facebook · Twitter ·