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Freeway sign can’t be depended on for ramp-closure times

September 6, 2024

Q. Caltrans is working on the northbound 5 Freeway on-ramp from Alicia Parkway and has been doing so for months. The sign says it could be closed from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., yet workers sometimes close down the on-ramp much earlier. Just Wednesday, it was closed well before 9 p.m. and, needless to say, it forces a circuitous re-route and makes it difficult to plan around. Can they just start anytime they wish?

– Michael Gamerl, Laguna Beach

A. Well, kinda …

Although Caltrans is largely responsible for our freeway system, other agencies jump in and build and remodel stuff, such as in this case, Michael.

The Orange County Transportation Authority is spending $664 million on 6.5 miles of the 5, from Lake Forest into Mission Viejo. A regular lane, both north and south, is getting added and so is a second carpool lane for part of the stretch. Projected to be completed early next year, some street sections and interchanges are getting makeovers, too.

“The stationary signs the reader is referring to are informational signs put in place around 2019 when the project began to give drivers a general idea of when to expect overnight closures,” said Eric Carpenter, an OCTA spokesman, in an email.

The California Highway Patrol, OCTA officials and the project contractor are involved in such closures.

“This process … is often decided in the field and results in closures of on-ramps and off-ramps at earlier hours to set up (a) safe work environment,” Carpenter said.

But why is there a need to go outside the time listed on such signs?

Joel Zlotnik, another OCTA spokesman, told Honk that to shut a freeway lane down to work on, it can close a ramp as well.

“This work can’t be done behind the K-rail, and it takes more time to set up to help ensure a safe work zone,” he said. “Allowing for a longer work window also helps keep the project on schedule as we near the finish line. … We understand it’s inconvenient and really appreciate the patience of the community.”

Michael, it’s frustrating to come across an unexpected closure, for sure. Honk isn’t one to sign up for email or text alerts on ramp closures, but you can if you want to for this project at octa.net/i5south.

Q. Hey Honk: Is it true that hands on the steering wheel at 10 and 2 is no longer recommended? I read that hands in that placement could cause injury in the event of an accident when the airbag is inflated. Would hands at 9 and 3 provide the same level of control?

– Barry Riemer, West Covina

A. All Honk can tell you on this one, Barry, is what the experts say.

These days, the Department of Motor Vehicles suggests tooling about with our paws at 9 and 3 o’clock, or at 8 and 4.

Both positions work with the “hand-to-hand” technique, the DMV says on its website: “Keep your hands in these positions, even when making turns.”

Or, with the 8-and-4 approach, you can also do the “hand-over-hand” strategy.

And, yes, you have it right.

“Those positions would minimize possible damage from the airbag,” said Marie Montgomery Nordhues, a spokeswoman for the Automobile Club of Southern California.

Should the airbags deploy, if using one of the newer suggested hands-on-wheel positions, the chances are better that our arms and hands won’t be pushed rather rudely into our faces.

To ask Honk questions, reach him at [email protected]. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk

Orange County Register

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Freeway sign can’t be depended on for ramp-closure times

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