The planned large-scale weekend lane closures on the 91 Freeway, which experienced severe traffic congestion last weekend, have been abruptly canceled. This decision comes after drainage pipe replacement work was completed earlier than originally scheduled.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced on the 9th that it is canceling the 55-hour full lane closure originally scheduled from 10 p.m. on the 13th to 5 a.m. on the 16th, as drainage pipe replacement work on the eastbound 91 Freeway connecting Orange County and Corona was completed ahead of schedule.
Initially, state transportation authorities planned to implement consecutive weekend lane closures for two weeks on the section between State Route 241 (SR-241) and Green River Road. The plan involved closing 4 out of the 7 total lanes while keeping only 3 lanes open during the construction period.
During the first round of lane closures held from the 6th to the 9th, severe traffic congestion occurred. Some motorists experienced inconveniences of being trapped on the roads for hours, and while the 57th and 60th freeways were designated as detour routes, vehicles flooded into nearby local roads, expanding the traffic jam impact to the surrounding areas.
Connecting Orange County and Riverside County, the 91 Freeway is a major arterial highway in Southern California with a daily traffic volume exceeding 300,000 vehicles, making it a section prone to habitual congestion even under normal circumstances.
However, separate nighttime lane closures on the 91 Freeway within Los Angeles County will proceed as scheduled. According to authorities, road sign maintenance work will cause partial lane closures of up to three lanes in both directions between Gardena and Cerritos on the 12th and 13th.
State transportation authorities have urged drivers to check road conditions in advance through the real-time traffic information website ‘Quickmap’ at quickmap.dot.ca.gov before setting out.
