I-5 Closes Near Grapevine: Vehicles Escorted Over Tejon Pass

GRAPEVINE, CA — California Highway Patrol officers are escorting stuck vehicles over Tejon Pass after thousands of cars became stuck on Interstate 5 near Grapevine on Wednesday morning.

Crews closed the southbound lanes of I-5 at Grapevine Road and the northbound lanes of the interstate at Parker Road in Castaic due to snow and ice, Caltrans said. Drivers were told to use the 101 as an alternate route.

Around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, highway patrol officers escorted the remaining vehicles over the Tejon Pass.

"Once vehicles are cleared from the area, Caltrans crews will clear the remaining snow & ice from the highway," the agency tweeted. "No ETO, until further notice."

Other weather-related closures included state routes 58, 33 and 138.

"The Grapevine is closed. I-5 northbound and southbound will be closed at this time due to snow and ice.," the California Highway Patrol tweeted. "CHP and CalTrans are working to get the roadways in a condition to allow for escorted traffic. Please avoid the area and take alternate routes."

As many as 3,000 vehicles could be stuck on the freeway, the patrol told KTLA.

Photos posted on social media showed bumper-to-bumper, standstill traffic on the I-5 freeway with snowy terrain and gray clouds lingering overhead.

The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for the region, writing that snow was expected in and around the Sierra Nevada and adjacent foothills from Fresno County southward, as well as the Kern County mountains.

"Accumulating snow along Interstate 5 over Tejon Pass and along Highway 58 over Tehachapi Pass may result in travel delays and/or road closures," the weather service said. "If you plane to travel, consider alternate strategies. If you must travel, allow plenty of time to reach your destination."

Total accumulations expected:

• 4 to 8 inches above 4,500 feet
• 2 to 4 inches from 3,500 feet to 4,500 feet.
• 1 to 2 inches from 2,500 feet to 3,500 feet.