A section of Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton will be closed today, October 18, due to a military event involving live ammunition. The closure, which was directed by the White House, is being implemented for public safety as the exercise will involve ammunition being discharged over the freeway.
The affected portion of Interstate 5 stretches from Harbor Drive to Basilone Road. The closure will begin at approximately noon and last until the event concludes. The California Department of Transportation has warned drivers to expect delays on Interstate 5 and other major routes throughout Southern California during this period.
“Because of the event and closure, drivers should expect delays on Interstate 5 and other state routes throughout Southern California before, during, and after the event,” according to officials.
Travelers are advised to check real-time traffic conditions before starting their journey by visiting http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/.
Passenger rail service along the adjacent rail line will also experience disruptions this afternoon. Travelers can find updated information on service changes for the Pacific Surfliner at pacificsurfliner.com/alerts and for Metrolink at metrolinktrains.com.
In San Diego County, drivers heading north will be detoured to State Route 15 in southeast San Diego. Those west of SR-15 along the I-5 corridor are encouraged to use SR-94, SR-52, SR-56, or SR-78 to reach I-15 north.
Travelers going from San Diego to Los Angeles County should use I-15 north to State Route 91 west. Those traveling from Los Angeles to San Diego should take SR-91 east to I-15 south. For travel between San Diego and Orange County, the recommended route is I-15 north to SR-91 west then SR-55 south, and in reverse for southbound trips. Travelers to and from Riverside County should use I-15 and SR-91.
The closure and associated detours are expected to impact regional traffic patterns for the duration of the event.
