By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – A road closure on Tucson’s east side became a risky shortcut for some drivers Tuesday after monsoon runoff buckled a newly paved stretch of roadway near E. Broadway Blvd. and S. Freeman Rd.
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A 13 News crew watched cars drive through a dirt pathway to get around the closure. One car became stuck and had to be pulled out with help from bystanders.
The closure is in place after a storm damaged the roadway, leaving cracked and uplifted asphalt and piles of dirt behind barricades and ROAD CLOSED signs.
Why the road buckled
Officials say stormwater can quickly weaken roads, especially when water infiltrates pavement.
“When it rains and asphalt gets through, it expands, especially if drivers are out on the road, that can further make the water expand in the pavement and weaken it, which is why you see potholes,” Rachel Hutchinson, a Public Information Specialist with the Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility, said.
Pima County Department of Transportation, which maintains the roadway, said the damage was tied to heavy water flow in the wash.
Pima County Department of Transportation said, “The buckling was caused by debris that was shoved under the roadway surface due to the high volume and flow of water in the Freeman Wash.”
The county added that this kind of storm damage is rare but can occur. Officials said temporary repairs can sometimes make roads safe until permanent repairs are completed and reminded the public not to drive around barricades and to check for road closure updates.
Expert: fixes have to address what’s underneath
A University of Arizona geotechnical engineering expert said long-term repairs require looking below the surface.
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“Make it really pretty, nice surface pavement on the top. But underneath, you do not have very good structural capacity of the material. So, even if you keep on paving on the top, but you do not have good structural capacity of the individual layers, then it is most likely going to happen again and again,” DR. Tejo Bheemasetti, a Geotechnical Engineer in the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics at the University of Arizona, said.
Deputies: citations possible for ignoring closures
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department says drivers who go around posted closure signs could face consequences.
Pima County says drivers who go around a posted road closure can be cited for a civil traffic violation. If someone ignores the closure and then needs a rescue, they could also face a misdemeanor reckless driving charge. They add that putting children in danger could bring more serious charges, and tampering with or moving closure signs may lead to a misdemeanor.
What you can do
City officials urge drivers to avoid flooded roadways: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” Floodwater can hide the true depth, the condition of the roadway underneath and can cause serious damage to vehicles.
The Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility said crews are monitoring several cross-roads for potential flooding, including:
- Camino de la Tierra
- Harrison Rd at Pantano Wash
- Escalante at Atterbury Wash
- Sarnoff Dr
To report storm-related road damage within the City of Tucson, call 311. The county also accepts maintenance reports through the SeeClickFix app: https://seeclickfix.com/tucson.
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