Shortly before reopening Interstate 10 on Friday, officials announced that it will take about two months and $5 million to rebuild a fallen bridge near Desert Center.

“Our goal is to expedite the design and construction, open and operational by the end of September,” Caltrans Interim District Director John Bulinski.

Despite the ambitious two month timeline, Michael Beauchamp, Caltrans’ district director of construction, said safety is the agency’s number one priority.

“We will not compromise safety to meet a schedule,” Beauchamp said.

Traffic began flowing in both directions on the I-10 soon after officials rerouted all vehicles through the westbound Tex Wash bridge at noon, restoring the key link between Los Angeles and Phoenix and bringing motorists much needed relief from lengthy detours.

The eastbound bridge failed during a major storm Sunday, when fast-moving flood waters shifted the dirt that held its foundation in place. A pickup was caught in the collapse and Desert Center resident Bryon Caster hospitalized with moderate to major injuries.

See full story: http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2015/07/24/bridge-opens-collapse/30626619/