The large stretch of the southbound side of the 5 freeway heading into downtown San Diego that was closed for repairs Friday night reopened on Sunday ahead of schedule.
Cal Trans says workers made faster-than-expected progress on the bridge repair project over the 163 downtown. It had been expected that it would remail closed till 5 a.m. Monday.
For several day ahead of the closure, Cal Trans signs were lit up on area freeways advising drivers. The southbound lanes of the 5 were closed from the 8 through downtown and the Balboa Park areas to repair the decking on the 5 freeway bridge above the 163. Only one lane was made accessible for limited local traffic and to the airport.
At the end of September, Caltrans will be performing a similar closure on the northbound side of the 5 for repairs on bridge deck on that side of the freeway. The northbound I-5 closure will begin at the 15 at 9 p.m. Sept. 29 and end at 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 1. Two lanes of traffic will be detoured to the 15 and the remaining northbound traffic on the 5 will be directed to the eastbound 94.
Messaging signs on area freeways will again be in place to encourage alternate travel and advise of closures.
(Photo reporting partner 10news)