Local politicians demand answers on lengthy, unexpected freeway shutdowns

Local and state politicians are demanding answers after recent freeway closures led to epic traffic backups in the region, including an eight-hour closure of Interstate 5 in Del Mar as crisis negotiators talked a man off the ledge of a bridge.

On Friday, three state senators, three assembly members and the San Diego City Council president sent off a letter to Caltrans, California Highway Patrol and San Diego police asking about policies and procedures, coordination with other agencies and the possibility of better real-time communication with drivers.

They cited three incidents, including the Dec. 5 closure near Del Mar and the Nov. 22 closure of I-5 north of Oceanside near Camp Pendleton initiated after police chased a driver from Buena Park. The chase ended in gunfire by an officer. The suspect, who CHP said was armed, remained in brush in the center median for several hours until he was taken into custody before 8 a.m. That closure lasted more than 14 hours — from 1 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

It also cites closures over a four-hour period from about 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 18 on I-5 through Camp Pendleton during a live-fire demonstration as part of the ...