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Drivers are gearing up for another 126-hour closure, this time to the eastbound side of the 1-210 at the I-605 and Irwindale Ave. | Image courtesy of Caltrans
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As if motorists haven’t had enough to deal with lately—the hot temperatures, long commutes, high gas prices—they yet again will be facing a 5-day freeway closure to the eastbound I-210, starting at 10 p.m. Wednesday night.
While the westbound closure, which lasted the same duration of time last month, caused a relative stir, this one is expected to be a bit milder, according to Caltrans spokesperson Eric Menjivar.
“We expect people to hit some congestion but during off-peak hours it should be OK,” he says, still warning of bottlenecked delays as the freeway will be reduced to 50% of its usual capacity to fit lanes going in both directions.
“Mornings will likely be heavily congested traveling in westbound directions. And afternoon traffic will be heavily congested in the eastbound direction when people will be traveling back home,” says Menjivar.
The corridor, spanning only 1.3 miles of the freeway, will be fully closed Wednesday night, partially reopening around 4 a.m. Thursday to accommodate morning traffic, Caltrans District 7 said in a tweet.
Avoid Side Streets
Since the closures are happening along the same 210 stretch near the I-605 on-ramp and Irwindale Avenue, Irwindale, Duarte, Monrovia, Pasadena and Arcadia will likely have the most pronounced congestion during peak weekday hours.
Even with the delays officials urge drivers to avoid taking side and residential streets, especially certain commercial trucks.
July’s closure saw Duarte officials lamenting large, 18-wheelers exiting the 605 and heading west on Huntington Drive, causing delays and disruptions to the area.
Trucks Be Warned
Caltrans hopes to prevent trucks from spilling onto the historic Route 66 thoroughfare by using LED signs prompting drivers to instead exit at Lower Azusa Road or Live Oak Road.
California Highway Patrol pulled over four trucks for illegally taking Huntington Drive during the last set of closures, but are hoping to avoid causing further congestion by stopping truck drivers during high traffic hours, according to Duarte City Council member Sam Kang.
Because of this, Caltrans is taking further steps by fully prohibiting trucks over seven tons from using Huntington Drive in Duarte at all by subjecting violators to traffic fines.
“I hope it is going to be better (than last time),” Kang said. “My staff has been talking to Caltrans and working with the Sheriff’s Department. They are more receptive.”
Why It’s Happening
The continuing construction is in an effort to finish replacing hinges that help keep the San Gabriel River Bridge in place, while also resetting concrete, installing steel rebar and working on the concrete medians on that side. Storm drains along this part of the bridge as well.
Arcadia Councilman Sho Tay said the only option locals have is to wait the construction out, staying positive on the worth the repairs will have for drivers over. “We don’t have a choice. I want drivers not to get frustrated because road rage happens when people are frustrated. I’d rather people stay safe,” he says.
Ultimately, the same message as last month is echoed by Caltrans and local officials—take alternate routes, public transit or, if possible, work from home.
“Just avoid the area and avoid yourself a headache,” Menjivar says.
