Southbound drivers will have to make alternative arrangements for driving into San Diego along Interstate 5 beginning Friday night and lasting through the weekend, state transportation officials say.<\/p>\n
The popular freeway will be closed heading south from state Route 52 to Mission Bay Drive beginning at 9 p.m. and remain closed to traffic through 5 a.m. Monday as part of an ongoing road improvement program, Caltrans said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe project will rehabilitate pavement along the main roadway, shoulders and freeway ramps to extend the service life of the existing pavement,\u201d state transportation officials said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeyond resurfacing, the project incorporates a broad range of upgrades to improve performance, safety and environmental conservation,\u201d they added.<\/p>\n
The weekend-long shutdown will not affect northbound traffic. Southbound service along Metropolitan Transit System bus routes will continue uninterrupted, as will trolley service in the area.<\/p>\n
Caltrans advised southbound drivers to take Interstate 805 at Sorrento Valley and connect to state Route 163 to access Interstate 8 and then Interstate 5.<\/p>\n
Drivers who need to drive south of the Interstate 5-805 interchange in Sorrento Valley will be able to both exit and enter Interstate 5 at Genesee Avenue, westbound La Jolla Village Drive and Nobel Drive, Caltrans said.<\/p>\n
The improvement effort is part of the I-5 Asset Management Project, a Caltrans plan to reduce future maintenance needs between Villa De La Valle in north San Diego south to National City and Chula Vista.<\/p>\n
Caltrans said the total project cost is just under $114 million, with almost $103 million of that coming from the U.S. government. The balance of the spending is from state funds.<\/p>\n