CALTRANS DELAYS: 'Incorrect Weather Forecasts' Slow EB 10 Off-Ramp Project in Redlands

Eastbound motorists on Interstate 10 were facing delays Friday afternoon because incorrect weather forecasts have slowed slurry coating projects on the eastbound exit ramps at Orange Street and University Avenue, a Caltrans spokeswoman tells Patch.

"All the weather info we had showed this was going to be an 88-degree day, not dropping to 63 and starting to rain," Shelli Lombardo of Cal Trans District 8 said in a phone interview at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 15.

"The slurry is not curing as quickly as it should," Lombardo said. "When it's wet we can't let traffic on the exit ramps, because the motorists don't want that stuff all over their cars."

The project under way Friday involves putting an oil-based seal on ramp surfaces to extend the life of the pavement, Lombardo said.

The ramps getting coated are eastbound Orange Avenue and eastbound University Avenue, which is slowing traffic on eastbound Interstate 10, Lombardo said.

"Motorists- Be prepared to use the California, Alabama and Ford Street exits in Redlands this afternoon and this evening," Caltrans officials advised earlier Friday afternoon.

"This is a slurry seal project," Lombardo said in an update at 2:35 p.m. "Weather has slowed the curing time and motorists are advised to use alternate exits off of I-10."

Stay with Patch for updates as they become available.