Drivers in Los Angeles should prepare for heavy traffic this weekend as lane reductions and ramp closures hit the 405 Freeway near the Sepulveda Pass.
Caltrans will reduce the 405 to three lanes in each direction from 10 p.m. Friday, March 20, through 5 a.m. Monday, March 23. The work area is near Getty Center Drive, Sepulveda Boulevard, Mulholland Drive, and Bel Air Crest Road.
This is part of the I-405 Pavement Rehabilitation Project, a $143.7 million effort to improve safety, mobility, and pavement life along the corridor.
Northbound traffic will be reduced to three lanes between a point just south of the Getty Center Drive and Sepulveda Boulevard off-ramp and a point just north of Bel Air Crest Road.
The Getty Center Drive on-ramp and off-ramp will also be closed.
Southbound traffic will be reduced to three lanes between the Skirball Center Drive and Mulholland Drive on-ramp and the Getty Center Drive and Sepulveda Boulevard on-ramp.
If you need to reach the freeway during the closure, Caltrans recommends these alternate routes:
Drive north on Sepulveda Boulevard, then continue east and north on Skirball Center Drive to the northbound 405 on-ramp.
Drive south on Sepulveda Boulevard, then continue south on Church Lane to the Sunset Boulevard southbound 405 on-ramp.
Construction has been underway since June as part of a long-term pavement rehabilitation project on the 405 through the Sepulveda Pass.
While many closures take place overnight, Caltrans has also scheduled extended weekend closures that begin Friday night and continue through Monday morning. These longer closures are expected about twice a month.
Caltrans has not released a full final schedule for every weekend closure, but officials have said there will be about 25 of them in total.
This closure will likely slow traffic not only on the 405, but also on nearby streets used as detours. Drivers should plan ahead, allow extra time, and avoid the area if possible.
If your trip is flexible, changing your route or travel time could save you a lot of frustration.