Late-Night Commuter? You're Gonna Wish You Weren't

The nightly construction delays on the Santa Ana (5) Freeway south of Los Angeles will be aggravated starting tonight, as the entire southbound 5 Freeway faces overnight closures near the Orange County line.

Caltrans is widening the 5 Freeway between the 605 Freeway interchange and the L.A.-Orange County boundary. Overnight lane closures usually leave one lane in each direction open, starting most weeknights at 10 p.m. This causes massive backups at either end of the construction zone.

But starting at midnight tonight, all southbound 5 lanes will be closed, and will not reopen until 5 a.m. the next day, well after rush hour commutes start. In addition, the transition ramp from south 605 to south 5 will also be closed.

Only one northbound 5 lane will be open, starting at 10 p.m.

That same pattern will continue Monday through Thursday nights.

Caltrans officials advised motorists to use the 605 and 91 freeways to zip around the congestion.

--City News Service

PHOTO Courtesy the Torrance Police Department.