Work on the northbound I-5 ramps at Avenida Pico in San Clemente, which are being realigned to accommodate a freeway widening through the city, continues with a pedestrian detour and a weekend closure. The work is expected to be completed by late October.
The widening is part of a $230 million project to extend the carpool lanes from San Juan Capistrano to San Clemente. The project requires the complete reconstruction of the Pico interchange, with Pico being widened and straightened to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.
The sidewalk on Avenida Pico in front of the post office - from Via Pico Plaza to the southbound I-5 on-ramp - is closed. Pedestrians must cross Pico and use the sidewalk in front of the Denny's and the Chevron gas station until the work is done. In a few weeks, crews will switch sides, and pedestrians will be shifted onto the new sidewalk now under construction in front of the post office. Expect sidewalk work and pedestrian detours over the next several months.
A full weekend closure of the southbound I-5 on- and off-ramps at Avenida Pico is planned for mid-October. The extended closure will allow crews to complete reconstruction of the ramps and install final striping.
The ramps are scheduled to be in their final configuration by the end of October.
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