Update: Traffic over Grapevine moving again after overnight closure due to shooting
Traffic was backed up for miles on the Grapevine section of Interstate 5 headed into the San Joaquin Valley on Tuesday as California Highway Patrol officers were investigating an incident.
Officers said about 11 p.m. Monday that all of the lanes headed into Bakersfield were closed for police activity as officers investigated a non-life threatening shooting on the highway.
Caltrans said about 6 a.m. that the lanes remained closed at the Grapevine Road exit in Kern County.
Drivers said on social media they were stuck in standstill traffic going back to almost 8 p.m. without any warning.
“Is there a reason one lane can’t be opened?” one commuter said on Twitter. “So many of us have been left for 6+ hours without food, water, medicine, etc. I understand you have to investigate but it seems like it is causing more harm than good at this point.”
Others noted they had more vulnerable family in tow.
3 hours and Still stuck! No movement whatsoever pic.twitter.com/LbfQlOgIOY
— Stephanie Flores (@stephaniejay1) March 28, 2023
“It just sucks that there was no communication, or no CHP leading drivers to re-reroute,” another commuter said. “People need to pee, eat or do their thing. I have older parents and an infant in the car.”
The CHP recommended drivers avoid the area. Caltrans said at about 7 a.m. all the lanes of I-5 were open.
I just made it home to Fresno!! 4:30am Finally was stuck in traffic since 8pm…slow movement for 3 hrs. Finally at 1130 made it to the valero to use bathroom…what caused this?? Had to get back onto Grapevine take 138 to 58 mojave alternative route. pic.twitter.com/ii8OgCC66y
— Zarai Leal (@huante_sarai) March 28, 2023
CHP is taking this way too serious for a 6+ hr delay . . pic.twitter.com/76xo8Ao7JX
— Emery (@andresross10) March 28, 2023