Bridge inspections close lanes on 5 Freeway near Magic Mountain
Multiple lanes on the southbound 5 Freeway near Six Flags Magic Mountain in Santa Clarita are expected to be closed for several hours Monday morning for emergency bridge repairs.
Bridge engineers and maintenance crews will be inspecting a portion of the freeway that runs over Magic Mountain Parkway, said Kelly Markham, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Transportation.
A weld in a plate within a bridge expansion joint came loose and was reported by California Highway Patrol officers at 5:40 a.m., Markham said. Such issues can be caused by vibrations from truck traffic and constant pounding from vehicles, she said.
Traffic was reduced to one lane early Monday, with three lanes closed, Markham said. Electronic signs warning of delays were in place along the freeway, and traffic was backed up for several miles, Markham said. Drivers could take a short detour along the Old Road, which runs parallel to the freeway, she added.
A SigAlert also was issued.
The work was expected to be completed Monday, although Caltrans “likes to be very thorough” with inspections, Markham said. Crews were also slated to inspect other sections of the bridge to make sure they are structurally sound.
Markham stressed that drivers should not be concerned about the safety of the freeway bridge.
“There is absolutely no issue with the structural integrity of the bridge,” she said. “It is in no way impacted. People absolutely should not be concerned because if a Caltrans bridge is open, it is safe.”
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