Advertisement Driving through Natomas? I-80 project offers options Inside lanes ideal for drivers heading past Watt Avenue Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Some traffic was tied up Monday near Truxel Road on Interstate 80 as Caltrans continued to work on a year-long construction project along a 13-mile stretch of the highway connecting Yolo County to Watt Avenue.Watch report: Commuters deal with I-80 constructionDrivers have an option: They can take the inside or outside lanes along parts of the project.Drivers taking the inside of the road are having an easier time with their commutes. For those who do not need to exit before Watt Avenue, the inside lanes are the faster alternative.Between Northgate Boulevard and Watt Avenue, drivers aren't able to exit eastbound I-80 until Watt Avenue.The expressway-like setup allows traffic to flow -- but the outside lanes slowed to a crawl during busy commuter hours Monday."I was totally confused which way to go," said Andreas Kazos, a driver from Citrus Heights. "I have never seen the confusion and mis-markings on a new project. I was almost hit from behind.He narrowly avoided a crash while driving home from the Bay Area."As I was looking in my rear-view mirror, I had to step on my brakes multiple times to warn that guy -- 'you better slow down,'" Kazos said. The construction, part of the "Across the Top" project on I-80, narrows the highway from three lanes to two lanes from the Sacramento/Yolo County line to West El Camino Avenue. At that point, eastbound traffic on the highway will be moved onto three newly constructed interior lanes all the way to Watt Avenue.Caltrans said drivers should add 10-15 minutes travel time during peak commute periods because of the construction.Monday evening saw a 10-mile-long traffic jam. The backup began at the Sacramento River and lasted all the way to Watt."There is advance signage on the way into that particular area," said Dennis Keaton, a Caltrans spokesman. "We have the changeable stationary message boards that are up alerting the public. What makes it difficult is that the project area is 10 miles long."Many drivers seem to be ignoring the road signs, creating a bigger problem."The inattention and the speed are the two most contributing factors to the problems that we're having right now," said Todd Van Lindt, an officer with the California Highway Patrol.The best way to avoid freeway gridlock is to take surface streets or alternate routes, especially during morning and afternoon drive times. But above all, the CHP warns drivers to slow down and avoid creating a wreck.The gridlock is expected to lessen over time, once drivers become acclimated to the construction zone. There will be about 24 miles of continuous bus and carpool lanes connecting Sacramento and Placer counties once the project is finished.KCRA 3's Mike Luery contributed to this report.