Anyone who travels north via The 5 during holidays knows once you start hitting the northern part of the Santa Clarita Valley (a few minutes past Magic Mountain), traffic backs up, making it a slow hump over the Grapevine. Caltrans warns of why traffic will be additionally heavy these next thirteen holiday days:

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) advises motorists planning to travel on the Golden State Freeway (Interstate 5) in north Los Angeles County to plan ahead, leave early to avoid holiday-related heavy traffic -- due to an ongoing lane closure on northbound I-5 at Templin Highway, (approximately five miles north of Castaic). The lane closure is due to ongoing storm-related slope stabilization and roadway repairs.

Heavy traffic is expected from Friday, December 21 through Tuesday, January 2, 2008.

Three northbound lanes and all (4) southbound lanes remain open to motorists. [via press release]

A good number to keep handy, whether or not you are traveling this week, is the Caltrans Highway Information Number at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623). Speak the number of the highway/route you're on or will be traveling via and you can get an up-to-date condition of the highway.

Photo by blmurch via Flickr