For this year’s commencement ceremonies, caps and gowns will mingle with ample traffic.
Jim Medina, public information officer for Caltrans district 7, confirmed the closure will intersect with commencement festivities from May 17 to 19.
“Beginning May 7, the ramp will be closed for 90 days,” Medina said. “The closure is weather permitting and subject to change.”
As previously reported, the Caltrans I-10 high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane expansion project has been taking place during off-peak hours for the past few months.
Many Cal Poly Pomona students and staff members believed the campus community would not be affected during the spring semester.
Electronic road signs near the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center and near Kellogg Drive are notifying drivers, “WB (west bound) Kellogg on-ramp closed 5/7- 8/4.”
In an email to the campus community, Danielle Manning, vice president for administrative affairs, addressed the closure and the university’s planned preparations.
Edith D. Ramirez, police and parking events coordinator for the University Police Department (UPD), said police and staff are taking additional measures to alleviate traffic during the graduation ceremonies.
“UPD has partnered with the Pomona Police Department to assist with traffic control at major intersections and freeway on-ramps and CHP to monitor the freeway,” she said.
The closure is expected to affect traffic in Pomona and the surrounding cities of West Covina, San Dimas, Azusa and others.
The 90-day closure for the westbound I-10 San Bernardino freeway is taking place only on the on-ramp.
Medina said the westbound off-ramp would not close for now and a 10-day paving rehabilitation will occur after CPP commencement ceremonies.
A traffic alert can be found on the CPP commencement website with links directing visitors to alternative routes.
A map and a “How to get to the I-10 West,” video can also be accessed on PolyCentric.
Ramirez said attendees should expect heavy traffic delays and detours from May 17 to 19.
“Attendees are encouraged to consider alternate routes and modes of transportation when appropriate,” Ramirez said.
For further closure updates visit www.dot.ca.gov/dist07 or follow CaltransDist7 on Twitter.
Alternative routes
- Take Temple Avenue to the CA-57 North to exit the I-10 freeway.
- Take Temple Avenue to Grand Ave to the I-10 freeway.
- Take South Campus Drive and turn left onto Ridgeway Street and make a left to the I-10 freeway.
