Rain has delayed the connector opening and related closures by one day.
Here’s the press release from Caltrans:
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will open a new I-5/SR-170 connector on Tuesday, May 7, at 5 a.m. The connector is a three-lane, mixed-flow connector going from the northbound Hollywood Freeway (SR-170) to the northbound Golden State Freeway (I-5). Northbound SR-170 traffic will merge with the three outside lanes of northbound I-5.
Construction began on the 2,400-foot connector in late 2010. It is part of a project that is also constructing a high occupancy vehicle (HOV, or carpool) lane in each direction of I-5 between SR-170 and the Ronald Reagan Freeway (SR-118), a distance of 3.4 miles, and a direct HOV connector between I-5 and SR-170. The direct HOV connector will enable freeway-to-freeway transfers without exiting the carpool lane.
The project will alleviate congestion, encourage carpooling, improve air quality, and provide a smoother ride for motorists. The work is part of Caltrans’ effort to provide motorists with a seamless carpool lane network in California.
Work began in August 2010 and is on track for completion in mid-2014. Caltrans thanks motorists for their patience and understanding during construction.
For more information, visit www.I-5info.com.
Upcoming Closures Related to This Project
The week of May 6, crews will remove remaining falsework and complete striping on the new I-5/SR-170 connector, requiring night closures of northbound I-5 between Sheldon Street and Osborne Street and southbound I-5 between the I-5/SR-170 interchange and Sheldon Street, as well as night closures of southbound I-5 on-ramps at Terra Bella Street and Osborne Street. Closure details:
Where
Northbound I-5 between Sheldon Street and Osborne Street
Southbound I-5 between the I-5/SR-170 interchange and Sheldon StreetWhen
Northbound I-5 Closure
Tuesday night, May 7, through Wednesday morning, May 8, 2013
11:59 p.m. to 5 a.m.Southbound I-5 Closure
Wednesday night, May 8, through Friday morning, May 10, 2013
11:59 p.m. to 4 a.m.DETOURS (see map below)
Northbound I-5 detour: Traffic will be detoured off the freeway at Lankershim Blvd. and onto San Fernando Road. Motorists will re-enter northbound I-5 from Osborne Street. Detour signs will be posted.
Southbound I-5 detour: Traffic will be detoured off I-5 at the I-5/SR-170 interchange and onto southbound SR-170. Motorists will reenter southbound I-5 from Laurel Canyon Blvd. Detour signs will be posted.
Categories: Projects
The I-5 northbound traffic is definitely worse. Is there more to be done at this interchange?
Ummm, it’s open … And the i5 northbound traffic is now considerably worse.!? Was this the plan, to waster millions of dollars on poor planning ?? Pathetic.
@Just a person
I think we both can agree that chances of us having rationed gas is pretty low unless something really major happens in which case we probably will have more to worry about then just gas. It just seems like having extra lanes for regular vehicles would highly reduce traffic.
@Mike
Trucks will almost never be carpools, so that is a fraction of the traffic that is unchangable.
To focus on cars, to have the ‘majority of drivers’ nor be solo, over 2 thirds of all people would have to be in carpools or transit. That is very high threshold. However, it is possible. During WW2, when gas and tires were rationed, there was a high amount of carpooling.
Carpool lanes are stupid. Most people do not use it so what is the point. Majority of drivers are sole drivers and that will not change.
It’s open!!!!!
From what I have seen, traffic on the Northbound 170 is flowing better at the interchange. The arc of the ramp is good. Once the other bits of construction this is going to be sooooo much better that it used to be. This Friday will be the first real test. I bet the back-up on the 170 will be much shorter than before. Sheldon off ramp is open too. I missed that so much.
I guess the rain delayed the opening…..
Hi Just a person,
Yes, the opening has been pushed back until tomorrow due to the weather. I’ll be updating on it shortly.
Anna Chen
The Source, Writer
Me too, @Just a Person. Let’s compare notes on May 8th.
This is great. I have been watching the progress on this project for the whole time. Hopefully the Sheldon off ramp will open too. This 3 lane connector will help traffic a lot. Also, once the HOV ‘fly-over’ is opened, that will be even better.