I-5 Adds New Truck Lanes: What Drivers Need to Know
California transportation officials are advancing a $124 million Interstate 5 project in the Redding area that will add part-time truck lanes, auxiliary lanes and other improvements intended to reduce merging conflicts and improve freight movement.
Project to Add Part-Time Truck Lanes
The project will add truck-only lanes that can be activated during periods of heavy traffic or major closures. State officials say the lanes are intended to provide more predictable movement for commercial vehicles while helping separate truck traffic from general-purpose lanes.
The work also includes widening bridges, improving on- and off-ramps, installing variable message signs and making other changes to traffic operations along the I-5 corridor through Redding.
Additional Interstate Improvements
Plans call for expanding the interstate by one lane in each direction in portions of the project area. The project also includes auxiliary lanes, an HOV lane, new or modified ramp configurations, roundabouts and replacement of some overpasses.
Auxiliary lanes are designed to provide additional space between freeway entrances and exits, reducing the need for vehicles to merge immediately into through traffic. The variable message signs will provide motorists with information about lane use, closures and changing traffic conditions.
Freight Corridor Context
Interstate 5 is a major north-south freight route through California and connects trucking operations between the Pacific Northwest, the Central Valley and Southern California. Improvements in the Redding area are intended to address congestion and bottlenecks that can affect both long-haul freight and local traffic.
Other sections of I-5 in Southern California are also being evaluated for managed-lane improvements. Proposed changes in Los Angeles and Orange counties include adding managed lanes on remaining portions of I-5 and converting some existing carpool lanes to express lanes on I-10, I-405, U.S. 101, State Route 55, State Route 57 and State Route 60.
