Caltrans to Implement Speed Reduction on Redding-Anderson Highway Project
Caltrans announced that they are planning to reduce the speed limit on a stretch of Highway Interstate 5 between Redding and Anderson while workers add additional lanes to the road. The change was reportedly scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, 2020. According to officials, the reduction in speed is part of an effort to protect people working on the project from fast-traveling vehicle accidents.
The Project
The Redding to Anderson Six Lane Project is being implemented by Caltrans District Two in partnership with Shasta Regional Transportation as well as a few other local government agencies. The project will add an additional lane to both the southbound and northbound sides of Highway Interstate 5 from the Bonnyview/Churn Creek Road junction to the Deschutes Road interchange. The project will also be adding guard railing, overhead signs, upgraded lighting, a new median barrier, and improvements to the already existing pavement in the area.
In addition to these changes, the project will widen 8 separate structures as well as replace the South Anderson Railroad Overhead and the Anderson Creek Bridge. Reportedly, traffic in the area will be managed by newly installed intelligent transportation systems.
Speed Reduction
The speed reduction is expected to be in effect for both southbound and northbound I-5 lanes until the end of June. This change will reduce the speed limit to 55 miles per hour throughout the entire area between the two cities for the duration of the construction project. Statistics show that areas with lower traffic speeds have a lower rate of pedestrian injuries.
Caltrans has indicated that such speed limit reductions go into effect throughout the state on highway construction projects and greatly improve the safety of both work crews and people traveling through the area.
Speed and Accident Injuries
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, increased speed is linked to higher risks of accidents for both pedestrians and vehicle drivers. Collisions between vehicles traveling above 50 miles per hour have a serious injury rate of around 51 percent, while low-speed accidents are only at about one percent. Furthermore, accidents involving vehicles traveling above 70 miles per hour almost always involve serious or even fatal trauma.
Even if vehicles are traveling below the speed limit, they may still be going dangerously fast for current roadway conditions. For instance, during foggy or rainy weather, it’s important to drive slower than you normally would.
Speeding and Liability
If a vehicle driver is disobeying speed limits, they are typically considered partially or fully at-fault for accidents. This means that injured parties can hold these drivers responsible for the damages caused during the crash. However, liable parties often try to disclaim responsibility for the accident. For this reason, it’s important to make sure you call an Anderson personal injury lawyer quickly following injury accidents.
Other Blogs Written by Ed Smith, Anderson Personal Injury Lawyer
- Trucking Crash in Anderson Causes Fatal Injury
- What is an Anderson Personal Injury Lawyer?
- Deadly Car Crash in Anderson
Anderson Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an Anderson personal injury lawyer. Sustaining accident injuries can change your life. For free, friendly advice regarding your auto accident case, call me at (800) 404-5400 or (530) 392-9400.
I have worked with people in Anderson for 38 years, and have helped many people obtain settlements and verdicts for their damages. You can learn more about me by reading my client reviews on the following websites:
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