The Interstate 5 freeway was completely closed late Friday night as a result of a multiple vehicle collision which occurred inside the tunnel of the southbound truck route lanes that run beneath the I-5 Freeway near the Weldon Summit. In response to the tragic traffic collision, Sheriff Leroy D. Baca offered all necessary Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department services and resources to the Santa Clarita Valley area in an effort to help ease the anticipated burden of a lengthy freeway closure.
As a result, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department - Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station brought in 30 deputies from the following sheriff’s stations: Malibu/Lost Hills, Altadena, East Los Angles, Temple City, Carson, Lennox, and Compton. The deputies were scheduled to supplement the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station’s Traffic Unit, adding 6 motorcycle units and 24 patrol cars to monitor and direct traffic, control intersections and assist with public safety during the commute hours in the Santa Clarita Valley and the City of Santa Clarita.
The station is pleased to announce that due to the re-opining of all the main traffic lanes of the northbound and southbound Interstate 5 Freeway; and the fact that several commuters apparently opted to leave early, avoid using the roadways altogether or take alternate modes of transportation, we were able to scale back those resources late this morning and return them to their normal duties.
However, the southbound Interstate 5 truck lanes will remain closed until further notice, which is likely to create some traffic delays and extended commute times in the coming days. City and Sheriff Officials are still advising all motorists to allow extra time for their commute. Commuters are also urged to use alternative methods of travel, such as Metrolink or City of Santa Clarita Transit.