Traffic resumes on major highways connecting Central Valley to southern California

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The CHP reopened the Grapevine to all traffic just before 3 a.m. Saturday, ending more than two days of traffic trouble for people trying to travel to and from the Central Valley.

Our previous reporting on the road closures follows:

California Highway Patrol officers have begun escorting all traffic on both lanes of Interstate 5 over the Grapevine after the freeway was shut down Wednesday night due to heavy snowfall.

Highway 58 over Tehachapi also reopened at Tower Line Road, with CHP officers leading both lanes of traffic. Cars were trapped on the roadway for hours when icy conditions forced a second closure Thursday night.

CHP Mojave said traffic is heavy in the area and moving slowly. Drivers should expect delays.

Travelers driving home from the Christmas holiday were left stuck on either side of the mountains after the highway closure. Some drivers were forced to take Highway 101 to get between Southern California and the Central Valley.

"What we're telling people right now is if you're going to Disneyland you need a ticket, if you go to the beach you need sunscreen and if you're going to the mountains you will need chains," said Caltrans spokesperson Terri Kasinga.

It's the second big storm of the season for the region, and the last one was also on a holiday.

Last month's Thanksgiving storm brought the heaviest snowfall to hit in November for more than 50 years. It closed roads throughout California and knocked out power to thousands of customers.

Stay with Action News for updates on the closure. You can also check traffic on our Traffic Tracker.

The video above is from a previous broadcast.