I-5 to close Saturday for Camp Pendleton live-fire exercise

The entrance to Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton in Oceanside File photo by Gregory Bull Associated Press A section of Interstate near Camp Pendleton will be closed for a meager hours Saturday while the U S military conducts a demonstration involving live ammunition being discharged over the freeway and the exercise is being blasted by Gov Gavin Newsom and other local politicians Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were set to attend Saturday s th anniversaries of the U S Navy and the Marine Corps which was dubbed From Sea to Shore A Review of Amphibious Strength The Navy turned on Monday and the Marines will do the same on Nov Navy Secretary John Phelan and Marine Commandant Gen Eric Smith were also scheduled to attend The freeway will be closed from Harbor Drive to Basilone Road from approximately a m until p m potentially causing a major inconvenience to Southland motorists who will lose the main artery connecting south Orange County to San Diego County Caltrans announced drivers should expect delays on Interstate and other state routes throughout Southern California before during and after the event Commuter rail amenity on the adjacent rail line will also be disrupted for a time Saturday afternoon More details were available at pacificsurfliner com alerts and metrolinktrains com Newsom a frequent critic of President Donald Trump and a accomplishable presidential candidate in criticized the planned display The president is putting his ego over responsibility with this disregard for constituents safety Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn t just wrong it s dangerous Newsom stated Saturday Using our military to intimidate people you disagree with isn t strength it s reckless it s disrespectful and it s beneath the office he holds Law and order This is chaos and confusion Federal administrators commented that in advance of the training event and demonstration a detailed vulnerability assessment was conducted at the base and all participants were to be briefed while biological fire and urgency responders and equipment would be on site As originally publicized the demonstration was described as an integrated Navy and Marine Corps operations across air land and sea base personnel explained The force training exercises planned ensure our readiness to defend the Homeland and protect our nation s interests abroad against emergent and unprecedented challenges currently and in the years ahead a spokesperson with Camp Pendleton noted in a announcement All training events will occur on approved training ranges and comport with established safety protocols Marine personnel noted all air surface and ground movements are scripted and rehearsed in accordance with standard operating procedures and established safety checklists Plans for the live-fire demonstration had prompted criticism from Newsom as early as Wednesday when he called the event an absurd show of force and totally uncalled for during a executive shutdown when members of the military cannot even get a paycheck The exercise was also criticized by Rep Mike Levin D-Carlsbad As the proud representative for Camp Pendleton I have the deepest respect for our Marines sailors and their families Their arrangement discipline and sacrifice represent the best of America Levin stated in a declaration Saturday morning Unfortunately reports confirming that artillery will be fired over Interstate requiring full freeway and rail closures have caused understandable frustration throughout the surrounding society These actions pose unnecessary safety risks and critical disruptions for residents businesses and first responders Masses safety and the reputation of the Marine Corps are far more fundamental than the political agendas of J D Vance or Pete Hegseth The Marine Corps has earned the trust of the American people over years by upholding the values of honor courage and commitment Those values call for professionalism sound judgment and respect for the citizens they protect We can and should celebrate the Marine Corps in a manner consistent with those values one that honors their proud legacy without compromising safety or society wellbeing The best way to pay tribute to our Marines is to give them the modern facilities information and aid they need to remain the world s finest fighting force And San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond a Republican posted This morning s sudden a m freeway shutdown shows exactly what s wrong with politics No accountability no planning just finger-pointing while everyday people sit in traffic miss work and watch their plans fall apart According to Los Angeles Magazine the White House initially intended to shut down part of the Freeway between Los Angeles and San Diego but later dropped those plans after receiving complaints from local bureaucrats and residents U S Marines agents later stated No constituents highways or transportation routes would be closed Bureaucrats in Newsom s office declared they were notified Thursday that the U S Marine Corps ratified their exercise would be conducted on its training ranges as it routinely does but not over the freeway That afternoon the federal ruling body also directed cancellation of train services which run parallel to the I- on Saturday between Orange County-San Diego County Late on Friday the state then received notice from event organizers asking for CalTrans signage to be posted along the I- freeway that would read Overhead fire in progress Also on Friday state personnel near Camp Pendleton observed live munitions being fired near the freeway an apparent practice run Early Saturday morning after the state inquired once again for details the federal cabinet informed the state that live fire programs have now been scheduled for p m Saturday Due to extreme life safety threat and distraction to drivers including sudden unexpected and loud explosions a section of I- will be closed for a period on Saturday This decision comes at the recommendation of traffic safety experts at the California Highway Patrol The I- is Southern California s economic backbone supporting over travelers and moving million in freight everyday between San Diego and Orange Counties Just north of Oceanside more than vehicles cross county lines daily half those trips for work The Orange County Republican Party blamed the freeway shutdown on Newsom Newsom shut down the the present day to cause chaos around a Marine Corps celebration What a jerk the party posted on X Previously broadcasted road closures include Del Mar Bridge will be closed to foot traffic on Oct Las Pulgas Road north of the intersection of Stuart Mesa Road will be closed until a m on Oct Stuart Mesa Road from Fire Base Gloria to Las Pulgas Road and Las Pulgas Road from Fire Station to Stuart Mesa Road Basilone Road from San Mateo Road to Meadowlark Drive is closed due to damage Roblar Road Event Springs Road from Montigo to Buffalo is closed The following gates will be closed Las Pulgas Gate closed until a m Oct Del Mar Gate closed to all inbound traffic on Saturday Only outbound traffic will be permitted Motorists were advised to consult quickmap dot ca gov for updated traffic information Following the demonstration Marines sailors and families will gather at Del Mar Beach for the Beach Bash a celebration that recognizes the people who form the foundation of the Marine Corps strength our families and the neighborhood as we share in the celebration of years of arrangement leaders disclosed The event will include food vendors music static displays and family sessions The White House Production Office mentioned it would film the demonstration for broadcast on Nov I- is a critical economic corridor for Southern California carrying more than travelers and moving million in freight daily between San Diego and Orange counties Just north of Oceanside over vehicles cross county lines each day half of them for work Bureaucrats estimate million in daily visitor spending could be lost due to the closure along with delays for thousands of truck shipments relying on uninterrupted access Drivers should expect vital delays on Interstate and other regional routes before during and after the event Travelers are encouraged to check real-time traffic conditions at quickmap dot ca gov before heading through the area Updated at a m Oct City News contributed to this document