Caltrans Warns Major Delays Thanksgiving Weekend on Interstate 5 Pit River Bridge.

REDDING, Calif. -- The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 2, advises motorists that they should prepare for moderate to major delays, through the construction/cone zone on the Pit River Bridge over Shasta Lake, throughout the Thanksgiving Weekend.

Thanksgiving

is the most traveled weekend of the year. Historic vehicle counts show an increase of 75% over normal daily traffic through this section of Interstate 5 (I-5), ten miles north of Redding, where bridge construction is currently in progress. This added volume will result in delays, which could be two hours or more, with vehicles backed up for 18 miles.

Operations on the two-year emergency deck replacement project, have required reducing traffic to one lane in each direction and reducing speed to 45 MPH. Conditions do not allow for opening additional lanes and Caltrans asks motorists to be patient, plan extra time to reach their destinations and choose off-peak times to travel. Caltrans will use changeable message signs, highway advisory radio and the internet, www.dot.ca.gov/dist2, to inform motorists of delay times and backups. Travelers can also get information by calling 511 on their cell phones or 1-800 GAS-ROAD.

Estimates of delays and backups:

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

* NB I-5: Peak 2:30PM - 7:00PM, 20-30 minute delays, 4-5 mile backups

* SB I-5: Peak 2:30PM - 5:00PM, 8-9 minute delays, 1-2 mile backups

Saturday, November 25, 2006

* SB I-5: Peak 2:00PM - 9:00PM, 20-60 minute delays, 4-9 mile backups

Sunday, November 26, 2006

* NB I-5: Peak 12:00PM - 5:30PM, 4-18 minute delays, 1-4 mile backups

* SB I-5: Peak 12:00PM - 11:30PM, 20-120 minute delays, 3-18 mile backups

What to do to make your trip more comfortable:

* Make sure your vehicle is in good working order, with a full tank of gas before starting your trip.

* Bring along water, snacks and something to occupy any children traveling with you.

* Charge your cell phone battery.

* Inform others of your planned destination, and let them know when you have arrived.

The California Highway Patrol will be enforcing speed limits and a service patrol contractor will be available to keep traffic flowing. The contractor can assist overheated vehicles with water, supply gasoline and/or tow disabled vehicles out of the roadway to keep traffic flowing.

NOTE: An electronic version of this news release is available on the Internet at the following web address: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist2/news_releases.htm