UPDATE: The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) is set to deliver a crucial community update on the Interstate 5 North County Enhancements Project online this evening, November 8, 2023, from 6 to 7 p.m. This announcement comes as the multi-year, $679 million project moves closer to its completion date, with significant improvements aimed at managing the anticipated growth in the Santa Clarita Valley.
The enhancements, which began in 2021, stretch from the Newhall Pass to just south of Parker Road in Castaic. Set for completion in 2026, these upgrades are designed to accommodate a projected population surge of 25,000 residents by 2035, as outlined in the city of Santa Clarita’s One Valley One Vision Plan.
The community meeting will provide vital insights into the operational and safety enhancements being implemented along the I-5. Key features include the addition of one high occupancy vehicle carpool lane in each direction, an extended northbound truck lane to Calgrove Boulevard, and a new southbound truck lane connecting to Highway 14. Soundwalls will also be constructed at four locations to mitigate noise pollution, alongside the replacement of the Weldon Canyon Road Bridge.
Metro’s media relations manager, Patrick Chandler, previously indicated that commuters can expect the new carpool lanes to open by the winter of 2026. These enhancements aim to bolster safety by increasing access for merging traffic and providing trucks with dedicated lanes separate from general traffic.
The meeting is accessible through online registration, available at bit.ly/3WQOEBi. Recently, the project temporarily closed the southbound I-5 on-ramp at Lyons Avenue/Pico Canyon Road for essential upgrades, including roadway excavation and electrical enhancements. This ramp reopened on November 4, after a month of construction.
With the I-5 enhancements nearing completion, the community update represents a pivotal moment for residents and commuters alike. Stay informed about these developments that promise to reshape transportation in the region.
