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Caltrans Warns Holiday Drivers To Leave Early

I-5 at Templin highway will have lane closures

North Los Angeles County near “the Grapevine” – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) advises motorists traveling over the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend on the northbound Golden State Freeway (I-5) north of Santa Clarita near the “Grapevine,” to please PLAN AHEAD and LEAVE EARLY to avoid expected holiday-related delays — due to an ongoing lane closure on northbound I-5 at Templin Highway, approximately five miles north of Castaic.   The lane closure is caused by ongoing slope stabilization repairs.  Three northbound lanes and all southbound lanes remain open to motorists.

Motorists can expect delays of up to 30 minutes on Friday, May 25; Saturday,

May 26; Sunday, May 27; and Monday, May 28.

[view:node_ad=5]Motorists are also reminded that traffic fines are doubled in freeway work zones.  In Santa Clarita and Castaic, The Old Road is a suggested alternate route during periods of congestion.

For road conditions in California (excluding unforeseen traffic incidents) please call the Caltrans Highway Information Number at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).  By speaking the number of the route desired — or using a touch-tone telephone and entering the highway/route number of interest, callers can get up-do-date road conditions on any highway in California.  Motorists are also encouraged to tune into local radio stations for up to-the-minute freeway reports before starting out on trips.  

 Caltrans, along with the CHP, the State Office of Traffic Safety, the Alcoholic Beverage Control, and local law agencies, are asking the public to plan ahead, and be safe.  "Once the BBQ is over, you still have to get home safely, the CHP will have up to 80% of our officers out on the road looking for those who don't comply with the rules of the road." said CHP Commissioner Mike Brown. 

Every year, numerous people die because of bad decisions made on the road, and although putting on your seat belt doesn't always seem that important; 50% of the people killed during last year's Memorial Day weekend, didn't have their seat belt on.  Deciding to put your seat belt on could possibly be the decision between life and death. 

However, in some cases, innocent people die because of someone else's mistake.  Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer, and during this time, the number of inexperienced drivers increase.  Many teens travel to have a good time, and along the way, decide to drink and drive.  "Underage drinking by inexperienced drivers is a deadly combination" said Alcoholic Beverage Control Director Steve Hardy.  "We will have extra Alcoholic Beverage Control agents working this weekend to prevent the sale of alcohol to underage or intoxicated people." 

Fortunately, traffic related deaths on Memorial Day have dropped over 40%, since two years ago.  CHP Commissioner Brown says, "We can still do better".  Hopefully, by taking these precautionary measures, traffic related deaths will decrease once again.         

Caltrans Warns Holiday Drivers To Leave Early

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