CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (KABC) — The U.S. Marine Corps says a demonstration in celebration of its 250th anniversary at Camp Pendleton will not close down the 5 Freeway this weekend.
It would have affected lanes near Camp Pendleton between Orange and San Diego counties.
This comes after outrage grew after the Trump administration said the Marine Corps would be firing live ammunition during the demonstration on Saturday and was considering shutting down a stretch of the 5 Freeway by the base. Locals say it would have been a disaster for drivers.
Now, the Marines say the Saturday afternoon celebration will be safe for everyone involved, including drivers just passing by.
“It’s crazy. How can you shut down the 5? It’s the main thoroughfare in Southern California between Orange County and San Diego. It’s nuts,” said Steve Hills, a surfer from Vista.
A full closure of the 5 in the area would be a traffic nightmare, even on the weekend.
“It would cause an amazing disruption. There’s a lot of stuff happening, and it really is the only artery going back and forth. Honestly, it’s only because Pendleton is on both sides as you approach Oceanside. There’s really no place to detour,” said Bill Brzykcy from San Clemente.
The potential closure wasn’t just frustrating for the dozens of surfers in the area. There are tens of thousands of people who drive the freeway every day, including truck drivers.
“It’s kind of hard to get around. This is pretty much the main route to San Diego… because we’re an 18-wheeler and we weigh about 80,000 pounds. So there’s restrictions for roads and all,” said truck driver Kyle Hazard from Boise, Idaho.
The Marine Corps is celebrating its 250th anniversary on Saturday afternoon at Camp Pendleton. The vice president, war secretary and thousands of other spectators are expected to attend the live-fire exercise.
The Marines are now saying they won’t need to shut down the 5. They released a statement about how they already conducted a detailed risk assessment and, “All participants will be briefed, medical, fire, and emergency assets will be on site, and multiple rehearsals will be conducted. All air, surface, and ground movements are scripted and rehearsed in accordance with standard operating procedures and established safety checklists.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom says he’s upset that the White House didn’t run any of the plans by local officials first.
“Anything we can do to celebrate our vets, to celebrate our heroes, I’m all for it. Let’s just do it in coordination and collaboration with state and local leaders. That continues to be a struggle with this administration,” Newsom said.
With a full array of military might this weekend, those who have lived near Camp Pendleton for decades say they’re less worried about the guided rockets and more concerned about distracted drivers trying to watch the display.
It’s safe in every way, except for the average average motorist who comes out here and says, ‘Oh, look at that. Look at that,’ and doesn’t watch where the hell they’re going,” said Dennis Golon from Dana Point.
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