Commuters who typically depend on I-5 faced a challenge when they hit the road this morning. The northbound lanes of the interstate from the Capital City Freeway/Highway 50 Interchange to Richards Boulevard were shut down for construction. They have been since Friday at 8 p.m. (Actually, drivers can go as far north as Q St. before having to exit but are encouraged to exit I-5 at the interchange.) The southbound lanes of that same stretch were open and will remain open during the first stage of the repair project.
Overall, there were no big problems to report this morning, just a few traffic snarls on area roads into and out of the I-5 construction zone...and they were short-lived. In fact, while reading the news on Morning Edition...we were announcing at one point...that northbound traffic was backed up for a few miles from Sutterville to the suggested detour at the Capital City Freeway/Highway 50 interchange. That was around 7:30 a.m. Then, after a few minutes, traffic began flowing on that stretch without a glitch, and apparently most everyone got to their destination with few headaches and wasted gas.
KXJZ News reporter Jenny O'Mara hit the pavement early...and she interviewed people getting gas near Richards Boulevard and at hotels near the construction zone in downtown Sacramento. CalTrans officials told her that things went "pretty smoothly" and Jenny reported on our airwaves this morning that CalTrans is receiving some kudos for getting the word out early about the "Fix I-5 Project." Jenny was able to speak with a Federal Express delivery truck driver and a man who transports passengers to and from Sacramento Airport each day. Both were upbeat about the situation and they said they had already planned alternate routes or left earlier than usual to avoid problems while navigating around the road repair work.
I'll be updating this blog on a regular basis over the next seven weeks or so. CalTrans tells us it will take about seven weeks, possibly sooner...if all goes well. The first stage of the work on the northbound lanes is expected to be finished on June 7th...then stage two begins, when southbound lanes will be closed from Richards Blvd. to the Highway 50/Capital City Freeway interchange.
We're eager to hear comments you have about the project and how it is or isn't affecting you. In order to post your remarks, make sure to register first.
Until next time, see you in the slow lane.
Steve Shadley, KXJZ News