Section of I-10 Closed Between Southern California, Phoenix

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A main corridor of Interstate 10 between California and Arizona is closed indefinitely after heavy rains caused a bridge to collapse July 19.

"Interstate 10 is closed completely and indefinitely," said Terri Kasinga, spokeswoman for the California Department of Transportation. I-10 is the most direct route between Los Angeles and Phoenix.

The California Highway Patrol said that Tex Wash Bridge collapse occurred on the eastbound span of I-10 near the town of Desert Center, about 50 miles from the Arizona border. One person in a truck was injured when the Tex Wash bridge crumpled around 4:45 p.m. PDT. The westbound span also was damaged.

Alternative routes are I-8 to the south or I-40 to the north. The Associated Press reported that transportation officials recommended travelers on the east side of the collapse use U.S. Highway 95 in Arizona to get to the other freeways. California drivers should use state routes 86 and 111 to get to I-8 to take into Arizona.

Bridge collapse closes I-10 closed in both directions at Desert Center, driver rescued. #bridgecollapse pic.twitter.com/30jxIGns9x — Megan Terlecky (@MTerlecky) July 20, 2015

The Arizona Trucking Association said the closure "will have a huge impact on Arizona’s economy. Trucks are being re-routed hundreds of miles out of the way, which costs time and money. Additionally, shippers will now have to figure out how the closure affects their supply chain in the near and long-term.

"Arizona drivers' lives are at stake as they cross a structurally deficient bridge an astonishing 1.6 million times a day,” stated Tony Bradley, President and CEO, Arizona Trucking Association. “Safe roads and bridges are vital to Arizona’s economy, but safe roads cost money. It’s time Arizona has an adult conversation about how to increase funding for our roads and highways.”

Follow Arizona DOT on Twitter for updates.

OPEN: I-10 West has reopened at Quartzsite. I-10 remains closed in both directions at Desert Center in California, milepost 105. — Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) July 20, 2015

“How many more bridges have to collapse before we come together and pass a 6-year, robust #transportation bill?” http://t.co/DN3euDj0zs — EPW Boxer (@EPWBoxer) July 20, 2015