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San Diego Lawmakers Press CHP and Caltrans Over Repeated I‑5 Closures

A Jan. 9 meeting is planned to pursue clearer protocols and real-time public alerts after three shutdowns in two months.

Overview

  • State Sen. Catherine Blakespear led a news conference and issued a letter seeking answers on coordination, decision-making and public communication during prolonged freeway shutdowns.
  • CalSTA and Caltrans emphasized traveler safety and coordination, SDPD said it operated under Incident Command during the Dec. 5 Del Mar standoff and is reviewing actions, and CHP has not provided a detailed public response.
  • Caltrans and CHP did not attend the briefing; a CHP spokeswoman said the agency would review video of the event before commenting.
  • Lawmakers are evaluating options such as mass text alerts to give drivers real-time updates in a corridor with few detours between the ocean and Camp Pendleton.
  • The closures included an Oct. 18 live-fire event at Camp Pendleton, a roughly 14-hour Nov. 22 pursuit and shooting near Oceanside, and an eight-hour Dec. 5 crisis-negotiation closure at Del Mar Heights Road.