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View Winners → I–210 closure is over…for now
San Gabriel Valley Aug 23, 2022
Workers have finished another 126-hour closure to the eastbound side of the 1-210 at the I-605 and Irwindale Ave, but the bridge repair work will last throughout the rest of the year. | Photo courtesy of Caltrans
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San Gabriel Valley drivers have some relief in their daily commute. As of 5 a.m. Tuesday morning, the eastbound I-210 freeway officially reopened after five days of repair work to the San Gabriel Bridge.
Yet, even though the project originally started with work on the westbound side in July, it seems as though it’s not fully complete, according to Caltrans. All lanes on the bridge will be open during the day, but motorists can expect some lanes to be closed overnight for bridge barrier work through the end of this year.
Off-Peak Hours Work
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 said, still warning of bottlenecked delays because freeways were reduced to 50% of their usual capacity to fit lanes going in both directions.
It’s unknown the impact the overnight closures will have on congestion since Caltrans has not yet released a schedule of when the closures will take place.
Avoid Side Streets
Both the west- and eastbound repair work happened along the stretch of the I-210 near the I-605 on-ramp and Irwindale Avenue, putting Irwindale, Duarte, Monrovia, Pasadena and Arcadia under the most pronounced congestion during peak weekday hours.
Officials pushed for 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 hoped to prevent trucks from spilling onto the historic Route 66 (Huntington Boulevard) 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, hoping to avoid further congestion by stopping truck drivers during high traffic hours, according to Duarte City Council member Sam Kang.
Because of this, Caltrans took 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 restore parts of the San Gabriel River Bridge, like resetting concrete, installing steel rebar and working on the concrete medians and storm drains. The $30 million project is slated to be completed by the end of this year and as of right now, workers are on schedule.
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, Caltrans and local officials are pushing the same message for the entire project—take alternate routes, public transit or, if possible, work from home if any of the repair work will impede your travels.
“Just avoid the area and avoid yourself a headache,” Menjivar urged.
