I-5 CLOSING IN SACRAMENTO FOR MAJOR REPAIRS

Sacramento, CA - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and Sacramento area contractor C.C. Myers have set a timeline to complete the much needed repairs on the "Boat Section" of Interstate 5 through the heart of downtown Sacramento.   The closures will take place beginning May 30 and continue on through July 15, 2008. 

It will be important for anyone commuting in and out of the downtown area or traveling north or south on Interstate 5 through Sacramento to be aware of the construction and make appropriate changes to travel and commuting plans.  Caltrans will be providing real time traffic information available at www.fixI-5.com.  The website features live traffic cameras, links to ridesharing and transit resources as well as answers to frequently asked questions. 

The good news about this project is that C.C. Myers is know for its speed and quality of construction.  So, while seven weeks is a relatively long period to inconvenience commuters, travelers, and commercial transport carriers, it is significantly shorter (nearly 1/2 the time) than originally estimated by Caltrans.  C.C. Myers is the same Sacramento firm that rebuilt the highways in Southern CA after the earthquake in 1994, rebuilt the SF Bay Bridge following the Loma Prieta earthquake and the recent reconstruction of the I-580 in Oakland after the fire and collapse of the MacArthur Maze in 2007.  All of these were done in record time with great precision and a maximum concern for safety. 

Below is a map of the area and the schedule for closures:

Caltrans and C.C. Myers are planning the following schedule for completing this massive project:

Stage 1:

Friday, May 30 at 8:00PM - All northbound lanes of I-5 closed from U.S. Highway 50/Capitol City Freeway Interchange to L Street on ramp, two lanes of I-5 will be open from L Street to Richards Blvd. (Q Street off-ramp, and I & L on-ramps will remain open from northbound I-5.)

Monday, June 9 at 5:00AM - All lanes will be open for four days.

Stage 2:

Friday, June 13 at 8:00PM - All southbound lanes of I-5 closed from Richards Blvd. to the U.S. Highway 50 except two lanes will remain open for traffic exiting at J Street.

Monday, June 23 at 5:00AM - All lanes will be open for four days.

Stage 3:

Thursday, June 26 at 8:00PM - All northbound lanes of I-5 closed from U.S. 5/Capitol City Freeway Interchange to L Street on ramp, two lanes of I-5 will be open from  L Street to Richards Blvd. (Q Street off-ramp and, I & L on-ramps will remain open from northbound I-5.)

Thursday, July 3 at 5:00AM - All lanes will be open for six days.

Stage 4:

Tuesday, July 8 at 8:00PM - All southbound lanes of I-5 closed from Richards Blvd. to the U.S. Highway 50 except two lanes will remain open for traffic exting at J Street.

Tuesday, July 15 at 5:00AM - All highway interfering work will be complete.

Please be careful out on the roadways and be particularly vigilant in constructon zones. 

If you find traffic troubling and don't like how it's slowing you down now you have chance to do something about it.  The Sacramento Area Council of Governments, or SACOG, is moving forward with the 2007 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP 2030) process.  This process will only work with active community support and involvement.  Sacramento residents are encouraged to get involved in the process by registering (follow the link here) to attend a local community MTP Workshop. 

You can do your part to insure the process is well thought out and addresses the important issues for a sustainable transportation future.  Our region's future transportation needs require real, substantive alternative transportation modes to bring about less congestion on the roadways.  

By participating you will be letting our policy makers know your thoughts.  Working together with a regional plan we can develop smart growth patterns and mitigate as much future traffic congestion and its attendant pollution as possible.

We cannot end traffic but if we get involved we can certainly make a difference in the future of our community!

They say that people don't plan to fail they just fail to plan.  Well, the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, or SACOG, cannot be accused of not planning.  SACOG is moving forward with the 2007 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP 2030) process.  This process will only work with robust community involvement.  Community residents are encouraged to get involved in the process by registering (follow the link here) to attend a local community MTP Workshop. 

Do your part to insure the process is well thought out and addresses the important issues for a sustainable transportation future.  Our region's future transportation needs require real, substantive alternative transportation modes.  Do your part to let the policy makers know your thoughts.  Working together with a regional plan we can develop smart growth patterns and mitigate as much future traffic congestion and its attendant pollution as possible.

Get involved!  Make a difference in our community!