UPDATE, 5:20 p.m. Nov. 14: One westbound lane of I-40 has reopened near Joseph City, according to an update from ADOT. One lane remains closed, and drivers should expect delays while the backup clears. Eastbound lanes were not affected.
JOSEPH CITY — A vehicle fire shut down the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 near Joseph City in Navajo County on Saturday morning, according to a release from the Arizona Department of Transportation.
The fire was reported at milepost 272, ADOT said in its alert, sent shortly after 6:25 a.m. Arizona time on Nov. 14.
The agency said there was no estimated time to reopen the westbound lanes. Eastbound I-40 was not affected.
ADOT advised drivers to expect delays and to look for an alternate route. Joseph City sits on I-40 between Holbrook and Winslow, a stretch that carries heavy truck traffic between Albuquerque and Flagstaff.
The release did not say whether anyone was hurt or what kind of vehicle caught fire. Thee Arizona Times will update this story if ADOT or the Arizona Department of Public Safety releases more details.
Drivers can check real-time highway conditions at az511.gov, on the AZ511 app or by calling 511, ADOT said.
Sources: Arizona Department of Transportation news release. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Grogan, Brian, creator / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
