THE NIGHTMARE BEGINS COMMUTERS URGED TO CHANGE ROUTES OR MEANS OF TRANSIT.

Byline: SUSAN ABRAM and PATRICIA FARRELL AIDEM

Staff Writers

SANTA CLARITA -- More than a quarter-million commuters will face their worst nightmare this morning: gridlock in the Newhall Pass.

Traffic on streets and highways is expected to be bumper to bumper as a key section of the Golden State Freeway, also known as the I-5, will remain closed after the fiery chain reaction big-rig crash that claimed three lives over the weekend.

California Department of Transportation crews worked through the weekend to be able to open southbound lanes for today, though officials cautioned commuters that they will be sharing the road with big rigs. Officials also encouraged drivers to consider alternative routes or public transportation.

Bracing for back-to-work traffic, Metrolink officials said Sunday they would add additional train cars and routes to handle thousands of motorists who opt for public transit rather than face the congested roadways.

Late Sunday afternoon, Caltrans officials opened the two-lane northbound I-5 truck route.

The two-lane bypass is the only part of the freeway to escape damage in the Friday-night chain-reaction crash that shut down the Newhall Pass tunnel on the Golden State Freeway.

But southbound I-5 truck lanes are expected to remain closed for a month, and traffic has clogged the region with many commutes that have taken twice as long as usual -- or more. On Sunday, traffic crawled southbound on The Old Road, paralleling I-5.

"There's going to be no easy way to get to work," California Highway Patrol Sgt. T.W. Lackey said. "Commuters have to find other routes and look at alternate modes of transportation. Metrolink's a good bet."

But officials with Metrolink couldn't promise a smooth commute, noting that parking at the three train stations in the Santa Clarita Valley -- Newhall, Via Princessa and Santa Clarita stations -- is limited and long waits can be expected for boarding.

Still, Metrolink spokeswoman Denise Tyrrell said extra cars will be hitched to some trains and service is expected to be added into the midday hours between Via Princessa and Union stations.

Overflow parking will be available at Hart Park, Saugus Speedway, Magic Mountain -- at lots A1, A2, and A3 -- and at 6th Street and San Fernando Road.

Shuttle service will be available.

"We're telling everyone to wear comfortable shoes because commuters may have to stand and be prepared to wait," Tyrrell said. "We're asking people to be patient."

But Metrolink will be challenged to accommodate the influx of new riders.

"They say there are 250,000 trips made through the Golden State Freeway, and that's many more people than we can handle," Tyrrell said. "We're going to do our best.

"We're going to throw everything we can at it. But the best advice is for people to stay home."

The Antelope Valley Transit Authority also will be adjusting its bus routes.

Route 785 will run earlier, departing from the Lancaster City Park at 3:15 a.m. and the Palmdale Transportation Center at 3:35 a.m. The buses that depart Lancaster at 5:55 a.m. and Palmdale at 6:15 a.m. will not run.

Metrolink will honor Antelope Valley Transit Authority commuter passes on all of its Antelope Valley runs.

Officials with Caltrans asked commuters heading to Santa Clarita from the Golden State Freeway to transition to the Antelope Valley Freeway, then continue onto State Route 138 to connect back to the Golden State.

Those heading southbound on the Golden State should exit at Calgrove Boulevard and continue south onto The Old Road, which becomes San Fernando Road. Commuters can then continue south onto Sepulveda Boulevard to connect to the Golden State Freeway.

Meanwhile, commuters on Sunday were trying to figure out ways to report to work today.

Software engineer Phil Berlioz said he carpools from Valencia to work in Woodland Hills.

"It's looking pretty bad," Berlioz said. "I wish we had a telecommute policy, but I guess I'm going to try my best to come to work.

"I'm not so much worried about the next couple of days," he said. "I'm worried they may close the tunnel for a couple of weeks."

Others from the San Fernando Valley say they may have to use creative ways to report for work in the Santa Clarita Valley.

"I live in Canoga Park. Today was easy," said Honorio Ortega, who works at Lily's Cafe on Lyons Avenue in Newhall.

His Sunday commute to work involved the San Diego Freeway, the Antelope Valley route, and The Old Road.

"On Monday, it's going to be much harder," he said.

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com

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Alternate routes and detours

To Santa Clarita from the San Fernando Valley, take the Antelope Valley Freeway north to San Fernando Road to connect back to Interstate 5.

Drivers southbound on the Golden State Freeway should exit at Calgrove Boulevard and continue south to The Old Road, which becomes San Fernando Road. Commuters can then continue south to Sepulveda Boulevard and connect to the I-5.

Open or closed?

The two-lane northbound I-5 truck bypass route was reopened late Sunday afternoon to all traffic.

Southbound lanes are expected to be open Tuesday morning. But southbound I-5 truck lanes are expected to remain closed for a month.

Additional northbound lanes are expected to be open Wednesday.

Metrolink

Metrolink has added additional train cars and service from its Newhall, Via Princessa and Santa Clarita stations in Santa Clarita Valley.

Metrolink also expects to add trains and service midday between Via Princessa and Union stations.

Overflow parking will be available at Hart Park, Saugus Speedway, Six Flags Magic Mountain -- at lots A1, A2, and A3 -- and at 6th Street and San Fernando Road.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 3 boxes, map

Photo:

(1 -- color) Traffic on San Fernando Road is bumper to bumper at 1 p.m. Sunday in Newhall as drivers navigate the detours after Friday night's multiple-truck crash.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News

(2 -- color) The charred wreckage of a large truck fire lies in a heap beneath a Golden State Freeway interchange Sunday. A chain-reaction crash forced closure of the freeway.

David Crane/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) Alternate routes and detours (see text)

(2) Open or closed? (see text)

(3) Metrolink (see text)

Map:

Alternate routes