I-5 adding truck lanes
Improving the movement of goods is the major focus of the Fix 5 Cascade Gateway and Cascade SHOPP projects.
To that end, nearly $120 million is being spent on a stretch of Interstate 5 in Shasta and Tehama counties in northern California.
Adding part-time truck lanes and auxiliary lanes, widening bridges and installing variable message signage will improve traffic operations through the Redding, Calif., area, according to state transportation officials.
I-5 through Redding often experiences restrictions to traffic operations and inter-regional goods movement.
“The mainline flow of traffic is currently degraded by merging and weaving traffic at consecutive interchanges,” the project website said. “The presence of trucks in the right lane and lack of continuous auxiliary lanes between interchanges can make it difficult to navigate. Long backups, delays and major detours through and around the project area are experienced during wildfires and winter storms, demonstrating the current lack of system resiliency.”
These factors can reduce safety as well as traffic flow, Caltrans said.
When completed, the project is expected to reduce merging conflicts and congestion, maintain reasonable and efficient traffic operations and improve safety for users and workers.
Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring 2027, with a goal of completing the project in 2029.
Additional investments
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $2.7 billion to fund more than 150 projects designed to strengthen the state’s transportation infrastructure.
“California is building a transportation system ready for the future — one that can withstand extreme weather, give people more ways to get where they need to go and keep our economy moving,” Newsom said.
Among these investments is a wildlife crossing in Shasta County along I-5. The $76 million project near Dunsmuir includes fencing, pavement upgrades, guardrails, signs and drainage systems, as well as the wildlife crossing. LL
More Land Line coverage of California news.