I-10 closures near San Simon more than just an inconvenience

BOWIE, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Highway officials closed I-10 Monday, May 16, between Lordsburg, NM, and milepost 352 in Arizona, marking the sixth day in recent weeks that this stretch of highway has been closed.

The closure ran from just east of Willcox, AZ, to Lordsburg, NM.  Traffic had to detour through Safford, AZ, on U.S. 191 and U.S. 70.

Each closure, including Monday's, has been a headache for drivers, commercial truck drivers and now the businesses in the area are hurting, too.

Dwayne's Fresh Jerky store in Bowie is inside the closure at exit 362. When the highway is open, the store is visible to drivers on the highway.

So, when the highway closes, owner Dwayne Witty loses not getting foot (or car) traffic into his store, gas station and RV Park.

Witty said he has lost about $4,000 in gross sales from just the store because of the closure.

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