Drivers can expect I-10 traffic delays this week

There may be traffic delays overnight — both eastbound and westbound on Interstate 10 — through the Banning pass this week.

The alternating lane and ramp closures will be in both directions during the overnight hours between Pennsylvania Avenue in Beaumont and Highway 111 — just north of Palm Springs.

Caltrans is continuing a project to replace sections of concrete on the freeway. Earlier this year, the same project created a major traffic backup that delayed some people for several hours.

Danna Birmingham of Banning was one of thousands of drivers stranded in that I-10 traffic nightmare back in February.

“It took me four hours to get from Desert Hot Springs to here. It was horrible. We sat there for hours. I had the dog too,” said Birmingham.

Traffic stretched for more than 20 miles because Caltrans failed to warn the public in advance of the road project.

Now with a week’s worth of road work ahead, Caltrans is being proactive by alerting drivers and working on the slab replacement project during the overnight hours.

Caltrans said it expects minimal delays, but drivers who want to avoid the delays and closures are urged use alternate routes.

Some drivers said despite minimal delays, they’re taking precautions.

“I’ll take surface streets if I have to,” said Darlene Noon of Banning.