Record rain creates "dangerous" northwest side roadway
Eroded stretch of La Cholla Boulevard is closed until further notice
Reporter: Kevin Keen
PIMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) - The weekend’s record-breaking downpour decimated a northwest side roadway. On the verge of collapsing under any traffic, it’s now closed until further notice.
What’s left of the small stretch of La Cholla Boulevard between Magee and Overton is a strip of asphalt with little ground underneath. The Cañada del Oro wash ate away at the earth along and under the two-lane road.
Pima County Sheriff’s Deputy Tom Piene said a driver who crosses the closed road would “put themselves in extreme danger.”
KGUN9 News witnessed at least one driver go around the barricades and try his luck.
This has long been a trouble spot -- especially during monsoon -- so the county made it a priority fix last summer. Crews have already dug in, working on two side-by-side bridges to send drivers over the wash. The project won’t be complete for another year, though.
County transportation crews first need to evaluate the section of La Cholla before it could reopen after repairs.
The county estimates 12,000 to 16,000 travel the road daily.
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