Caltrans says that there will be a full closure of SR-111 north of Niland.

The closure is expected to begin on Friday , September 27 , after 5:00 p.m. The closure will affect the highway between Davis and Gillespie Roads and be in place for up to two weeks. There will be no access through SR-111 at the closure points as crews will be installing drainage underneath the highway. The work is part of an emergency project to mitigate a natural-occurring geyser that has been moving towards SR-111 for about 3 years. The geyser / mud pot is releasing water , carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide gases in low concentrations that do not pose a health hazard but has already encroached on Union Pacific railroad tracks and is moving towards the state highway.

Because there are no easily-accessible parallel roads , general traffic will be detoured from the north and south to State Route 86 on the west side of the Salton Sea. Expect extended travel times along the detour.