The California Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, will provide free towing and roadside assistance through the Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) beginning today on the Golden State Freeway (I-5) in north Los Angeles County, where a paving improvement project is underway. FSP tow trucks will patrol both directions of I-5 between Vista Del Lago Road and Lebec Road in an effort to assist motorists with disabled vehicles, reduce congestion, prevent construction disruptions, and enhance safety.

In addition to towing disabled vehicles, FSP operators will offer basic roadside assistance to get motorists back on the road and to keep traffic moving. Services such as changing flats, refilling radiators, and jump-starting batteries will be provided free of charge. If the FSP operator cannot get a stranded car running, it will be towed to a safe location off the freeway.

FSP will provide free services in the project area during the following hours through October 31, 2013:

*  Monday through Friday: 4 a.m. to 5 p.m.

*  Saturdays and Sundays: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Services provided outside these hours or by non-FSP tow operators are not part of this program and will likely require payment by the motorist.

About the Project

This $100.1 million project is replacing pavement 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 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.

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