CHP reopens Grapevine on Interstate 5 [Updated]

The Grapevine on Interstate 5 was reopened to regular traffic about 11:30 a.m. today after being closed overnight because of snow and ice, CHP officials said.

Highway Patrol officers began escorting drivers through the Grapevine about 9 a.m., but the freeway remained closed to regular traffic for an additional 2 1/2 hours.

Snow prompted the overnight closure of the 30-mile Grapevine section of the freeway starting at Parker Road in Castaic, CHP Officer Jennifer Connolly said.

The closure forced hundreds of drivers to pull off the freeway in Castaic and spend the night inside their vehicles.

CHP Officer Francisco Villalobos said to expect a five-mile delay in both directions until traffic thins out.

[Updated at 2:47 p.m.: CHP officials said at 4 p.m. they will reopen Angeles Forest Highway, Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road and Big Tujunga Canyon Road northeast from Big Tujunga Dam in the San Gabriel Mountains. The roads were closed Monday because of heavy rain and the risk of debris flows.]

-- Gerrick D. Kennedy

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