SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Today's Why Guy question comes from Robin Rogers who asked, "Why is I-5, a major north-south artery, just two lanes?"
Robin, let's map this out on what's called "I-5" in Northern California and "The Five" in SoCal.
I-5 stretches for 796 miles, touching Mexico to the south and Canada to the north.
In heavily congested traffic areas in Orange County, I-5 is as wide as 22 lanes. Still, it doesn't seem like enough considering the accidents and bottlenecks.
Now, there are long stretches of I-5 in the middle part of the state where it's down to just two lanes. Is it because it's rural farmland with less traffic and congestion?
“That’s correct," said Caltrans spokesman Steve Nelson. “Construction on I-5 in the San Joaquin Valley started in the early 60s to connect farming communities ... over the years as communities have grown, obviously the urban areas have expanded, but the rural stretches have primarily remained."
A major nuisance is being stuck on the two lane stretch of I-5 when vehicles ahead of you are clogging traffic flow.
Your only other option is to map your trip along Highway 101 or 1, but you'll likely find the same issues.
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