Steel Yourself: B-10 Project in Progress

RVers coming into Quartzsite by way of Interstate 10 exit 17 prepare yourselves: The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is "at work" doing a major widening project. From the Tyson Wash crossing west to the freeway access road, heavy equipment, barricades, and slow moving vehicles (and maybe some workers) are the order of the day. Traffic is limited to one lane each direction through the work zone, and the posted speed limit is now 25. Of course, for those who've experienced the Quartzsite phenomenon at high season will recognize that 25 miles per hour on the "B-10" would be a dream come true.

The end result, according to town pundits, will be a dream come true. Five lanes of blacktop will whisk semi trucker and RVer to their destination in record time. And says ADOT, it should only take eight short months for the project start to finish. Since it all got rolling in April, the promise is that the dust, noise, and urban renewal will all be vanished by the time the big shows start. We can only hope the reality is the same as the promise.

Meantime, if you're looking to avoid congestion and don't need to visit the Pilot for a refuel, avoid that end of town. Getting off the freeway at exit 17 and heading south, to say Love's is still quick and easy. But you can bet yer brand new sewer hose that when the traffic starts to build, folks will be bottle necking the off ramps and even heading south from 17 will be a great exercise in self-control.

Our suggestion? Skip exit 17 altogether. If you're headed to any of the LTVA areas, take exit 19 and head south to Kuhen Road, take it west to Highway 95 and turn left. Want to access the 14 day areas east or north of town? Exit 19 is the answer: For the north end short-term areas, take the B-10 past "Sweet Darlene's" and make a quick right turn at the next intersection--Plymouth. Follow Plymouth north to the "L" and make a left, thence out to Highway 95 and a right turn. For Scadden Wash short term, head south as if heading to the LTVAs, but turn left on Kuhen. And for Dome Rock short term? Take the Dome Rock exit--number 11, west of town off I-10. You'll save yourselves miles of frustration.