‘Coronageddon’ has begun: 91 Freeway closed in Corona for 55 hours

“Coronageddon” has begun.

The California Highway Patrol has closed State Route 91 in Corona for the weekend so crews can demolish a bridge as part of a freeway widening project.

The 55-hour closure, dubbed both “Coronageddon” and “91 Steer Clear” to help get the word out, began Friday soon after 9 p.m. Scores of headlights could be seen stopped at the shutdown point as the CHP routed vehicles off the freeway.

The closure covers a six-mile stretch between Interstate 15 and State Route 71. Transportation officials hope to have the 91 reopened in time for the Monday morning commute.

Workers will bring down the Maple Street bridge, erect a support structure for an eventual ramp and pave some lanes.

The $1.4-billion project began in 2014 for the vital link between inland Southern California communities and Orange County.

(Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)

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