The California Department of Transportation is recommending that people avoid unnecessary travel during the Interstate 405 closure between Interstate 10 (I-10) and US 101 occurring this weekend, Sept. 29-30. But for those who must use the freeway system, Caltrans’ QuickMap can help them make smart choices about their route before they leave and avoid congestion.

Launched in July, QuickMap is an online tool that provides California motorists with real-time traffic information and empowers them to make better decisions about how to reach their destination more rapidly. This functionality will be particularly valuable for motorists during this weekend’s I-405 closure, when the freeway will be closed in both directions for 53 hours while crews demolish the north side of the Mulholland Bridge. The bridge demolition is part of the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project, which is building a 10-mile carpool on northbound I-405 between I-10 and US 101.

To access Caltrans QuickMap, visit the Caltrans site at quickmap.dot.ca.gov.

“A wide range of useful information is now easily accessible to help motorists avoid congestion and reduce their travel times,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “This exciting innovation delivers real-time data so travelers can adjust their routes to get where they’re going as quickly as possible.”

Visitors to the online interactive travel map can access nearly 1,000 freeway cameras and more than 700 electronic message signs on highways statewide. They can also monitor traffic congestion, California Highway Patrol incidents, travel time information, lane closures due to highway roadwork, and Amber Alerts. Other helpful features of the service include chain control information and color-coded traffic speed displays for freeways statewide.