COLUSA COUNTY, Calif. — Caltrans has closed both the northbound and southbound Maxwell Rest Areas off Interstate 5 due to failed critical water and wastewater control systems.
The closures are necessary to protect public health and ensure compliance with environmental requirements.
The control systems that operate the well and sewer lift station have failed, preventing the facility from safely operating.
Replacement equipment has been ordered, and delivery is currently estimated to take approximately six to 11 weeks. Repairs will begin once the equipment arrives.
The northbound Willows Rest Area remains open at this time. However, the wastewater monitoring system has failed at the southbound rest area and it is also currently closed.
While the northbound rest area is still operational, Caltrans is closely monitoring conditions in the event additional repairs become necessary.
These emergency repairs focus on restoring electrical and control systems that manage water supply, wastewater flow, and monitoring systems essential for safe rest area operations. A separate, planned construction project scheduled to begin this spring at the Maxwell Rest Area does not include repairs to the well or lift station systems and is unrelated to the current closure.
This $22.4 million project at the Maxwell Rest Area is scheduled to begin later this year and will modernize infrastructure at the facility to better serve motorists in the future.
This project proposes improvements to extend the operational lifecycle of the rest area, including upgrades to comfort station facilities to meet changing traffic demands.
While this project will enhance the rest area overall, it does not address the emergency water and wastewater system repairs that caused the current closure.
Caltrans will provide updates as more information becomes available and once a timeline for reopening the Maxwell Rest Area can be confirmed.
Caltrans District 3 is responsible for maintaining and operating 4,385 lane miles in 11 Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties. Caltrans reminds motorists to “Be Work Zone Alert” and slow in construction zones for the safety of travelers and crews performing these improvements.
Caltrans issues construction and road condition updates on X @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3. For real-time traffic information, click on Caltrans’ QuickMap quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or download the QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play.