Expect more traffic on SLO County highways after snow closed Grapevine
Give yourself some extra time if you have to drive local highways today, after winter weather temporarily shut down several major California routes and forced traffic toward SLO County.
Interstate 5 and Highway 58 both closed in the Grapevine area due to snow Wednesday morning, according to Caltrans. Highway 166, which meanders along San Luis Obispo County’s southern edge, was the designated detour for both those roads, Caltrans said.
This forced an influx of drivers into SLO County, backing up traffic along 166.
According to Caltrans’ Quickmap, which offers live road updates, traffic jams were reported at the Highway 166 exit from Highway 101 south of Nipomo throughout the morning and into the afternoon.
That highway also had delays due to bridge construction near Tepusquet Road.
Though northbound traffic on I-5 reopened around noon, the southbound lanes were still mostly closed as of 1 p.m., with CHP escorting drivers through the area. Highway 58 also reopened around noon.
Highway 101 could see some traffic due to detour
Caltrans warned the closures could also mean additional traffic on Highway 101 through the Central Coast.
As of 1 p.m., traffic on the road seemed to be moving smoothly throughout most of San Luis Obispo County, though moderate traffic jams were reported just north of Atascadero due to a vehicle crash, according to Caltrans’ Quickmap.
Between Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo, lanes of both southbound and northbound Highway 101 were closed as part of construction work to replace pavement markers, though those moving closures did not appear to be significantly slowing traffic as of Wednesday afternoon.
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