I-10 Tex-Wash bridge reopens to traffic ahead of schedule

A rebuilt bridge on Interstate 10 near Desert Center has been fully reopened to traffic after a portion of the major artery from Southern California to Phoenix was closed to traffic for just over two months.

The eastbound bridge had been closed between Route 86 and the Arizona state line since July 19, when heavy rains caused a bridge to collapse.

Exclusive interview with survivor of bridge collapse

Crews worked day and night to make repairs and reopen the 45-mile stretch of freeway. A temporary fix was in place allowing vehicles headed east to merge into one lane and cross over to the westbound side with one lane in each direction.

It brought up some serious concerns about bridge infrastructure in Riverside County.

Commuters were forced to take the temporary fix, or long alternate routes for the better part of two months while construction was in place.