[News Release] – Special Closure Note: Beginning Friday, April 4, at 5 a.m. through late May 2014, a temporary bypass lane will be implemented on southbound I-5 between Smokey Bear Road and one mile south of Vista Del Lago Road while crews pave the two left lanes of southbound I-5. Click here or see the attached notice for more information.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) plans to implement the closures listed below as part of a pavement improvement project on the Golden State Freeway (I-5) between Vista Del Lago Road and the Kern County line.

Consecutive ramps will NOT be closed at the same time. Signs will be posted for all detours. No unusual levels of dust, noise or vibration are expected. Closures are subject to change.

For the safety of the construction crew and motorists, please be attentive to closures, slow for the cone zone, and move over one lane where possible.

Closure information for this and other freeway projects is available on the Caltrans website.

For real-time traffic information, visit quickmap.dot.ca.gov or call 5-1-1.

Closure Dates: April 6 to April 12, 2014 

NORTHBOUND I-5

• Up to three lanes of northbound I-5 will be closed between Vista Del Lago Road and Quail Lake Road from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. 

• Two lanes may be closed during off-peak daytime hours. 

• The most restrictive closures (i.e., the most lanes closed) will occur between midnight and 4 a.m. 

• At least one lane will be open at all times. Check the Caltrans Quickmap (quickmap.dot.ca.gov) before you leave for traffic speeds in the area. 

SOUTHBOUND I-5

• Up to three lanes of southbound I-5 will be closed between Quail Lake Road and one mile south of Vista Del Lago Road from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. 

• Two lanes may be closed during off-peak daytime hours. 

• The most restrictive closures (i.e., the most lanes closed) will occur between midnight and 4 a.m. 

• At least one lane will be open at all times. Check the Caltrans Quickmap (quickmap.dot.ca.gov) before you leave for traffic speeds in the area. 

About the Project

This project will replace 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 two outside lanes and outside shoulder will be completely replaced, and damaged pavement slabs will be replaced in the inside lanes. Additionally, the project will update drainage features, upgrade the wooden guardrail posts to metal, add post mile signage, widen the inside shoulders, replace broken approach and departure slabs, and repave ramps.

This $100.1 million project, which will be completed in fall 2014, 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.

Most of the construction will be completed at night to minimize inconvenience to motorists, though there will be some work during the day.