Caltrans officials have lowered the speed limit in construction zones in downtown Sacramento at the epicenter of the I-5 repairs. That announcement comes just moments before rush hour started this Monday morning. Apparently there were a few traffic accidents in the construction area over the weekend. So, as it stands now...the speed limit has been lowered to 45-and-1/2 miles per hour (Frankly, I've never seen a 1/2 mile an hour change in a speed limit...but there you have it). That's a change from the previous 55 miles an hour in that construction zone. Seems that both accidents involved people suspected of driving while drunk...and one accident happened when a car hit a construction truck...and another driver drove right into the construction area while work was underway. So keep that in mind...police will be enforcing a 45.5 mph speed limit there.
Southbound lanes of I-5 are getting repairs similar to what happened on northbound lanes...an updated sewage system is going in and new concrete will be laid at the "Boat Section" of the freeway. That's roughly from Richards Boulevard to the Capital City Freeway...with two lanes open to exit at J street going south on I-5. However...the Q Street southbound exit will be closed. Remember...ALL of the northbound lanes are open again. But, here's the challenge. Officials want to keep traffic to a minimum on the side streets...so what's a person to do? I wish I had a magic wand and could give you a satisfying answer. Here are a few tips to think about while trying to navigate through this area during construction: L street downtown could be pretty busy during this part of the project...so try to get around that road if you can. Rush hour traffic is expected to be very busy on J street at the exit lanes of I-5...but there may be no getting around that situation. That's where the southbound traffic to the north will be dumping into downtown Sacramento. Also, Caltrans says that on Richards Boulevard itself...authorities are allowing drivers to make left hand turns onto that road from both offramp lanes. And, finally on P Street...police officers may be around during the busiest part of the day...directing traffic near 7th and 3rd streets...to help move things along.
This phase of southbound construction is scheduled to be done on Monday, June 23rd. At that time...both south and northbound lanes of I-5 will be open for four days...until construction begins on the north side of the interstate again. More on that later. And, yes, there will be a test!