Community Corner
No I-10 Closures Planned This Weekend
Caltrans says driving on I-10 should be smooth after last weekend's construction fiasco, resulting in hours of delays.
No closures were scheduled on Interstate 10 for Presidents Day weekend, the week after a massive traffic jam backed up westbound portion of the freeway between Palm Springs and Banning.
"The only thing that would be a closure would be an emergency,'' Michelle Profant of Caltrans said.
The next scheduled closure will be from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m. Wednesday between state Route 111 and Ramsey Street in the Banning area for striping on the westbound portion of Interstate 10, Profant said.
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Caltrans drew criticism after traffic backed up Sunday when pavement repair was delayed, closing some westbound lanes until 9:30 p.m. Caltrans issued an apology Monday.
"The department is investigating the events that led up to the incident and again extends our sincerest apologies to all who were involved, especially the motorists who were forced to endure the lengthy backup,'' the statement said.
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"Measures are being taken to ensure that this type of situation does not occur in the future on any state highways in the Riverside and San Bernardino area.''
Lanes had been scheduled to be closed for pavement repair from 10 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday. However, according to Caltrans, a problem at a
concrete plant resulted "in the continued closure of lanes outside the work schedule.''
"The concrete being utilized to make the repairs requires four to five hours to cure before traffic can be permitted to drive on it. A breakdown at the nearby batch plant contributed to delays in completing project and reopening lanes before the work schedule ended at 7 a.m.,'' the statement said.
"Unfortunately, the various slabs targeted for replacement had been removed and prepared for the material before the break down at the batch plant occurred.''
Motorists "expressed concern'' when they did not see activity in the construction zone, according to Caltrans.
"The crews were awaiting the delivery of the material to finish the work and then for the new pavement to set,'' the statement said.
On Tuesday, the striping work will done at various locations with alternating lane closures. On and off-ramps will also be alternately closed, Profant said.
Lane, median and ramp closures are scheduled next week farther west on Interstate 10, in Calimesa, Colton and Fontana, according to Caltrans.
Caltrans' District 8 posts updates for the public on Twitter, Profant said.
