Traffic Update: Caltrans closing lanes and onramps

Date: April 18, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Closures for I-5 Pavement Improvement Project
Vista Del Lago Road to Kern County Line

Gorman — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) plans to close the lanes, ramps and connectors listed below as part of a $100.1 million pavement improvement project on the Golden State Freeway (I-5) between Vista Del Lago Road and the Kern County line. Closures are subject to change.

Closures for this project had been suspended for the winter and have recently begun again. Motorists should expect regular closures at multiple locations in the project area through November 2013.

For the safety of the construction crew and motorists, please be attentive to closures, slow for the cone zone, and move over one lane where possible.

Closure information for this and other freeway projects is available on the Caltrans website: http://www.lcswebreports.dot.ca.gov/lcswebreports/

Closure Dates: Sunday, April 21, through Saturday, April 27

Northbound I-5

Northbound I-5 between Vista Del Lago Rd. and the Kern County line
One lane: One lane may be closed at any time.
Up to two lanes: 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. the following day

The most restrictive closures (i.e., the most lanes closed) will occur between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when traffic volumes are lower.

Southbound I-5

The Frazier Mountain Park Road on-ramp to southbound I-5 is closed through April 29, 2013, while crews place new concrete pavement. Detour signs direct motorists to access southbound I-5 at the Gorman Road on-ramp.

The southbound I-5 off-ramp to Gorman Road will be closed April 22, 2013, through April 29, 2013, for pavement work. Additional closures for southbound I-5 are below.

Southbound I-5 between the Kern County line and Vista Del Lago Rd.
One lane: One lane may be closed at any time.
Up to two lanes: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following day

The most restrictive closures (i.e., the most lanes closed) will occur between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when traffic volumes are lower.

Smokey Bear Road on-ramp
TIME: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

About the Project

This project will replace slabs in both directions of I-5 between the Vista Del Lago Road overcrossing and the Kern County Line, a distance of 15.4 miles.

The two outside lanes and outside shoulder will be completely replaced, and damaged pavement slabs will be replaced in the inside lanes. Additionally, the project will update drainage features, upgrade the wooden guardrail posts to metal, add post mile signage, widen the inside shoulders, replace broken approach and departure slabs, and repave ramps.

This $100.1 million project, which will be completed in mid-2015, will extend the life of the pavement, reduce maintenance costs and closures, and provide a smoother ride for motorists. The contractor is Griffith/Coffman Joint Venture of Brea, Calif.

Most of the construction will be completed at night to minimize inconvenience to motorists, though there will be some work during the day.

This is part of the April 12, 2013 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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