SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A partial weekend closure along a major stretch of Interstate 5 is expected to slow traffic into La Jolla — creating challenges for both visitors and the small businesses that rely heavily on foot traffic.
Businesses near the beach say the disruption could turn an already busy weekend into a hectic one, as customers try to navigate detours and delays just to arrive on time.
On Friday evening, shops along the coast in La Jolla were wrapping up for the day and preparing for the weekend rush.
At La Jolla Kayak, manager and tour guide Brodie Savage says demand is already high.
By mid-afternoon Friday, more than a dozen tours were fully booked. Savage says weekends typically fill up quickly as visitors head to the beach and walk through the neighborhood looking for activities.
But this weekend, getting there may be more difficult than usual.
Signs are posted along the freeway alerting drivers to a partial closure that will impact people heading into La Jolla. Savage says delays are already common — and the detours could make things even more complicated.
He expects visitors will be rerouted through Pacific Beach or over Mount Soledad, adding extra time to an already busy commute.
According to Caltrans, three of the four northbound lanes of Interstate 5 will be closed at the Gilman Drive and La Jolla Colony Drive area.
The overnight closures will run from 7 p.m. to 11 a.m. on both Friday night and Saturday night for construction work.
The temporary shutdown is expected to impact locals, tourists and the businesses that help people enjoy San Diego.
Savage says his company alone has been sending out more than 20 tours a day in recent days, and there are several other kayak companies operating on the same street — making the area especially busy even without traffic disruptions.
To prepare, staff plan to adjust their automated text messages to customers and encourage guests to arrive earlier than usual and expect delays.
Savage says despite the traffic issues, the goal is still to make sure visitors can get to their tours and enjoy their weekend by planning ahead and allowing extra travel time.
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