Southbound I-5 lanes in the construction zone of downtown Sacramento were re-opened early Sunday...nearly a full day ahead of schedule. People who regularly drive the "Fix I-5" stretch of freeway from Richards to the Cap City Freeway interchange will be glad to know that both north and southbound lanes will remain open until after the Fourth of July weekend. July 8th is the next date to remember. That's when Caltrans will close the southbound lanes in the "Boat Section" so a sealant can be applied over the top of the new concrete.
As you probably have heard, the overall project completion date has been moved. It will take a little longer to wrap the entire project up due to some unforseen circumstances, which happens with all construction work. The concrete removal process on the northbound side took a tad longer than planned and putting a sealant on that stretch was rescheduled to July 17th. That allows more time for the northbound concrete to dry and cure properly...since it was laid deeper than the southside lanes.
Phases one and two are done...now we await phases three and four. The entire project should be complete on or around June 24th. Caltrans says anyone driving through the "Fix I-5" project may notice a rough texture on the road surface. That will last another two weeks...until after the polyester blend sealer is applied...then it should be a smoother ride, according to a Caltrans news release.
The Caltrans public information office says the remaining repair work on I-5 will require only lane closures...not entire sections of freeway roadblocked as with phases one and two. So, while it may be slow going....apparently the traffic will be allowed to pass through the "Fix I-5" section over the next few weeks...although expect a lot of those orange safety cones...over the next few weeks both southbound and northbound.
Fortunately there have not been any serious traffic accidents or mishaps involving construction workers.