A section of Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton was closed on Saturday, October 18, due to a military event directed by the White House. The exercise involved live ammunition being discharged over the freeway, prompting safety concerns.
The closure affected I-5 between Harbor Drive and Basilone Road from around noon until the end of the event. Authorities warned drivers to expect delays not only on I-5 but also on other state routes in Southern California before, during, and after the closure.
A spokesperson stated: “Due to safety concerns, a section of Interstate 5 will be closed today, Saturday, October 18, due to a White House-directed military event at Camp Pendleton involving live ammunition being discharged over the freeway.”
For those traveling through the area, officials recommended checking real-time traffic updates at http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/. In addition to road closures, passenger rail service along adjacent lines was disrupted for part of the afternoon. Travelers were advised to check pacificsurfliner.com/alerts or metrolinktrains.com for updated information about Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink service adjustments.
Detours were put in place throughout San Diego County and beyond. Northbound travelers from San Diego County were directed to use State Route 15 starting in southeast San Diego. Those west of SR-15 along I-5 could take SR-94, SR-52, SR-56, or SR-78 to connect with I-15 north. For travel between San Diego and Los Angeles counties, drivers were advised to use I-15 north to State Route 91 west into Los Angeles. Southbound travelers from Los Angeles could use SR-91 east to I-15 south.
Travelers going between San Diego and Orange County were told to take I-15 north to SR-91 west then SR-55 south; those heading south from Orange County should use SR-55 north to SR-91 east then I-15 south. For Riverside County routes, officials recommended using I-15 and SR-91.
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