Another I-5 closure in Sacramento area could disrupt traffic. Here’s how to avoid it

Traveling on Interstate 5? Several lanes will close in the Sacramento area this weekend due to “major highway construction,” according to Caltrans.

Crews are adding transition lanes on I-5 in the Natomas area that will require daytime and nighttime lane closures, the agency said.

Those closures could snarl traffic to Sacramento International Airport.

Caltrans advised travelers and airport employees to leave at least 40 minutes earlier than usual to be on time.

Where is Interstate 5 construction?

The roadwork will affect a section of I-5 stretching from 0.2 miles south of the American River Bridge to Arena Boulevard in Natomas, Caltrans said.

Work on transition lanes will be from Arena Boulevard to the Sacramento River Bridge, according to the agency.

The construction is a part of $24.8 million pavement repair project, as well as a $37.7 million plan to add transition lanes on I-5 in the Natomas area, Caltrans said.

What highway lanes will be closed in Sacramento and when?

Several lanes of I-5 will close starting Friday night with roadwork continuing into Monday.

Caltrans notes that while there is a schedule for the closures, it may change due to traffic, weather or other construction-related issues.

Southbound I-5 will close at the interchange with Interstate 80 will close from midnight Friday to 5 a.m. Saturday and again from midnight Saturday to 5 a.m. Sunday, according to Caltrans.

Crews will be taking down an overhead sign and replacing it.

The northbound I-5 connector ramp to westbound I-80 and eastbound I-80 connector ramp to northbound I-5 will be closed at three intervals throughout the weekend.

Those ramps will be closed from 10 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday, 10 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday and 10 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday.

Southbound I-5 will be reduced to two lanes at the I-80 interchange from 10 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday. It may be reduced to one lane from midnight to 5 a.m. within this time, Caltrans said.

Northbound I-5 at the I-80 interchange will be reduced to two lanes from 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Only one lane may be available from midnight to 5 a.m. in this time frame.

What detours can I take to avoid roadwork?

There are two detours you can take to avoid the construction.

During the full closure of southbound I-5, Caltrans said motorists take Arena Boulevard —Exit 524 — and stay left onto eastbound Arena Boulevard and make right onto southbound Truxel Road.

Then stay right and take the I-80 West on-ramp. Stay right and take the I-5 South connector ramp, Exit 86.

For closures affecting eastbound I-80 to northbound I-5, the agency says drivers should stay on eastbound I-80 and exit at Truxel Road.

After that, make a left onto Truxel Road, and move over to the right lane and take the on-ramp to westbound I-80. Afterwards, take the northbound I-5 connector towards Redding.

Will Interstate 80 be closed for construction?

In the Roseville area, a key I-80 exit will be closed this weekend due to construction, according to Caltrans.

The Riverside Avenue off-ramp will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday

“Motorists looking to exit Riverside Avenue will detour westbound along I-80 to the Antelope Road exit,” Caltrans said. “At the stoplight, make a left and then take the I-80 eastbound on-ramp, where they will be able to head back to the Riverside Avenue/Auburn Boulevard exit.”

Slow down, drivers

In construction zones, the speed limit is reduced to 55 mph all day, every day.

“California Highway Patrol officers will be patrolling the project site ticketing motorists who are not adhering to the posted speed limit signs,” Caltrans said. “The closures and speed limit reductions are necessary for the safety of motorists and workers.”

This story was originally published July 11, 2024 at 1:04 PM.