Interstate 5 closures to impact traffic in southern Orange County

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (KABC) -- Construction crews began pile-driving along Interstate 5 in south Orange County Monday, part of a plan to add a carpool lane.

For the next three weeks, Caltrans is closing two southbound lanes on the I-5 Monday through Friday, from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., just south of the Camino Capistrano exit.

"Most of the commute in the morning is going northbound in that area, so we're feeling comfortable that it shouldn't create too much of a backup," said Joel Zlotnik, a spokesman for the Orange County Transportation Authority.

Drivers can use Doheny Park Road as an alternative.

Zlotnik says they scheduled the foundation work during the day to reduce the impact on residents.

"It's loud. It causes a lot of vibration and doing that at night would really be a problem for the residents who live in the area," Zlotnik said.

Deirdre Hurd lives in the senior living community across the street from the construction. She says things may quiet down at night, but the 6:30 a.m. start time is rattling her nerves. She wants crews to work faster, even keeping the lanes closed longer if they have to.

"If they can shut them down until noon, they can shut them down until 2. Then they can start at 7:30 in the morning," Hurd said.

Hurd says she understands the need to widen the freeway. She just wants more to be done to protect her peace and quiet.

"It just needs to have taken into consideration 61 homes in here with senior citizens, and it hasn't been," Hurd said.

Crews need to finish pile-driving by Feb. 15 so they don't interfere with nesting season for birds and bats.