For Immediate Release

CALTRANS ANNOUNCES PLAN TO EXPEDITE REPAIR PROJECT ON INTERSTATE 5 IN SACRAMENTO

Sacramento – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced today a bold plan by contractor C. C. Myers Inc. of Rancho Cordova to repair a troubled ¾ mile stretch of Interstate 5 in Sacramento that Caltrans engineers have dubbed the Boat Section. The plan calls for significant lane and ramp restrictions on I-5 in downtown Sacramento affecting nearly 190,000 daily drivers beginning as soon as May 30.

The plan calls for lane and ramp restrictions of approximately two weeks to each direction of I-5 from the Capitol City Freeway / U.S. Highway 50 interchange to Richards Boulevard so the contractor can replace freeway drainage and concrete. After curing, lane and ramp restrictions of one week will also take place to allow time for the contractor to apply a polyester sealant. This plan would allow the contractor to finish work months ahead of schedule. Caltrans is working with the contractor on the details of that plan.

“Innovative plans like this have worked to perform rapid repairs of the MacArthur Maze in the Bay Area and the Golden State Freeway’s truck tunnel in Southern California,” said Caltrans Director Will Kempton who pointed out a regional public outreach plan is underway. “During both projects we reached out to ~~drivers~~ the public and got the word out,” added Kempton, “This outreach served to reduced traffic backups and helped people get to where they needed to go.”

Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo and West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon joined Kempton for a roadside press conference and voiced their support. Famed contractor C. C. Myers was also on hand to reveal details of his plan for the rapid fix.

Drivers The public can get the latest project information by visiting www.fixI-5.com, which features live traffic cameras, links to ridesharing and transit resources, answers to frequently asked questions, and historic photos. The public can also sign up for e-mail alerts to receive the latest information about construction and lane closures. Truckers have their own web page where they can get alternate route information. Another web page will feature specials by local businesses, called “Sacramento is open for business.”

The “Boat Section” was constructed below the water level of the nearby Sacramento River. As one of the last portions of Interstate 5 to be constructed, it was named back when it had to be drained in the late 1960’s. Over the years, sand and silt have created blockages in the drainage system. Those blockages, which force water to the surface, have led to cracks and pavement deterioration. This critical project will repair that drainage system and replace the pavement.

As part of the ongoing In addition to an extensive effort to keep the public informed about this project, Caltrans will present these plans at a series of public workshops. They are listed below.

DOWNTOWN OPEN HOUSE

Monday, April 7th

11:30 am to 1:30 pm

Tsakopoulos Library Galleria

828 I Street

SOUTH SACRAMENTO OPEN HOUSE

Wednesday, April 9th

6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Evelyn Moore Community Center

1402 Dickson Street

NATOMAS OPEN HOUSE

Friday, April 11th

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Caltrans District 3 Facility

2389 Gateway Oaks Drive

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