A spill Wednesday snarled traffic as it backed up two right lanes and an off-ramp on northbound Interstate 15 in San Diego.
The spill occurred at about 8:16 a.m. Wednesday, just south of Friars Road, according to Caltrans.
California Highway Patrol officials initially said the mess was caused by cement that came from a concrete truck, but later issued a news release identifying the material as “sludge dredged from the ocean.” Drivers were warned to expect delays until the early evening as crews cleaned up
A wet cement spill Wednesday morning snarled traffic as it backed up two right lanes and an off-ramp on Interstate 15 in the Mission Valley area. https://t.co/ewFwumnOhm
— ABC 10News San Diego (@10News) July 9, 2025
“Currently only the No. 1 and No. 2 traffic lanes of Interstate 15 northbound, south of Friars Road remain open for traffic,” the CHP said in a statement. “Clean-up of the affected roadway is expected to continue until approximately 5 p.m.”
A tractor trailer transporting the sludge spilled its load within the roadway, and was contained so that it did not affect any nearby drains or waterways.
No injuries were reported and the cause of the spill was unclear. Caltrans crews assisted CHP in the cleanup.
Updated 4:30 p.m. July 9, 2025
