I5 work

[JennyN]

I've noticed occasional comments about the work being done on the I 5, does anyone know when it is due to be finished? We usually drive along the I5 to get to Anaheim from LAX. Is this the area effected? do we need to look at an alternative route in September? Just trying to plan ahead.

 

[lcasa]

I don't see any mention of work around Anaheim - down by San Diego there are late night closures and also some work off the I5 in Irvine. There are also always occasional late night closures of certain areas/ off ramps - but usually after 11pm or later and done by 5am or so.

So I think you should be fine. There are alternatives -- check just before you go. You could take the 105 to the 605 to the 91 and then just a bit of the 5 or even get off at Harbor and drive south for maybe 5 miles on surface streets.

 

[Malcon10t]

The issues with I5 are north of Bakersfield, nearer to Buttonwillow.

 

[PirateFish989]

I think you should be fine. There is always something going on on I-5 but I just drove to and from San Diego from central California (Fresno) via I-5 and there was no major construction or lane closures in the LA area. I-5 in the Central Valley was down to one lane both ways but that won't affect you.

 

[jenpace]

The issues with I5 are north of Bakersfield, nearer to Buttonwillow.

Yes, and it was a nightmare. Waaaaaay before the two lanes converged into one lane we were going about 5 mph for miles. This happened in two areas, one shortly after the other by Buttonwillow, right after we got on I5 southbound from Hwy 46. We were so glad to finally see a gas station so my daughters and I could use the restroom. Once we were ready to get back on the Interstate it was a HUGE bummer that the on-ramp was closed. We had to get turned around, go back up the north bound side for a few miles which was also jammed up with one lane closed and then get back on the freeway in the southbound direction to re-do that whole stretch. Essentially, we traveled on the same backed up 2 mile stretch 3 times. It took us 8 1/2 hours to get to the DLR and only 6 hrs on the trip back home.

 

[Leofoenget]

When was this? We always leave San Jose the night before stay in Buttonwillow hit the road first thing in the morning. It helps break up the drive. I mean we could do it in one day but by doing it this way we can leave home as late as 8pm and still get to our hotel by midnight

 

[jenpace]

We drove down from Santa Cruz on Sunday, 8/7

 

[ParkHopper1]

Its all about timing whether it will be a delay on I-5 with the single lane closure. On weekends, southbound jams up late AM/early afternoon with a lot of weekend travelers heading to LA, northbound jams up late afternoon/early evening with people heading to Nor Cal from LA. On weekdays, forget about southbound on Friday afternoon/evening. I have hit both directions many times mid day on weekdays and sailed right through at the speed limit. All depends on what day and time you are traveling.

 

[jenpace]

Its all about timing whether it will be a delay on I-5 with the single lane closure. On weekends, southbound jams up late AM/early afternoon with a lot of weekend travelers heading to LA, northbound jams up late afternoon/early evening with people heading to Nor Cal from LA. On weekdays, forget about southbound on Friday afternoon/evening. I have hit both directions many times mid day on weekdays and sailed right through at the speed limit. All depends on what day and time you are traveling.

Makes sense, we hit the snarl around 3 pm that Sunday.

 

[GrandBob]

I've noticed occasional comments about the work being done on the I 5, does anyone know when it is due to be finished?

According to CA DOT, it's scheduled to finish Oct 20 -- Happy Birthday to me!