Mescal, AZ – Drivers traveling through southeastern Arizona faced significant delays Saturday morning after a portion of Interstate 10 was shut down eastbound near Mescal.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), I-10 eastbound was closed at approximately 10:48 a.m. near milepost 292, close to Empirita Road, due to a disabled vehicle blocking traffic lanes.
ADOT officials said traffic was being diverted onto State Route 83 southbound as crews worked to manage the incident and clear the roadway. Motorists in the area were urged to expect delays and consider alternate routes, especially those traveling between Tucson, Vail, and communities in Cochise County.
The closure impacted a key stretch of I-10 that connects the Tucson metro area with southeastern Arizona, including Benson and Willcox. Traffic maps showed backups forming east of Vail, with congestion extending toward the Rincon Valley area as drivers were rerouted.
No injuries were immediately reported, and ADOT has not released an estimated time for reopening the eastbound lanes. Conditions may change quickly as the disabled vehicle is removed and traffic flow is restored.
Drivers are encouraged to monitor real-time traffic updates through the AZ511 system or the AZ511 mobile app. Live updates are available via ADOT’s official channels, including the AZ511 website and mobile apps for Apple and Android devices.
Motorists traveling later today should continue to plan for potential residual delays even after lanes reopen.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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