Northbound I-5 to be reduced to one lane from 9 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday

CASTAIC — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) advises motorists that Northbound Interstate 5 will be reduced to only one lane from 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, to about 7 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, as Caltrans prepares to open an additional lane at a landslide at Castaic in northern Los Angeles County.

I-5 normally has four northbound lanes but has been temporarily reduced to only two northbound lanes since Jan. 10, when a landslide near Templin Highway blocked the right two lanes. Starting Saturday morning (Jan. 21), northbound I-5 will have a total of three lanes open for traffic at the landslide area.

To create the third northbound lane, Caltrans will install new lane striping Friday night. For the safety of travelers and crews during the striping operation, northbound I-5 will be reduced to a single lane open for traffic.

The schedule is subject to change due to weather or operational issues. The location is about six miles north of Santa Clarita. Caltrans advises motorists to avoid non-essential travel in the area or allow extra travel time and expect delays. Travelers can check on highway closures any time at Caltrans’ QuickMap service, which is online at QuickMap.dot.ca.gov, or by calling 1-800-427-7623.

Caltrans has a team of experts developing a plan to stabilize the landslide area and clear the material from the freeway. There is no estimated timeline for completion due to continuing instability of the slide.

[Information via news release from Caltrans.]

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