The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) are advising the public that two extended, 10-hour directional freeway closures will be required on the weekends leading up to “Carmageddon II” September 29-30 to prepare the remaining half of the Mulholland Bridge for its final demolition.
The I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project contractor will remove the supporting falsework from the newly constructed south bridge side and will adjust Mulholland Drive’s roadway alignment and elevation to meet the bridge’s new approaches.
The first of the 10-hour closures is scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 8. The other closure is scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 15.
Due to the extended duration of the closures that will start earlier at night and continue later into the morning weekend hours, motorists are advised to plan ahead, avoid the area or eat, shop and play locally. Motorists should seek alternate routes in advance to avoid traffic gridlock. Sepulveda Boulevard will remain open as a primary alternate route.
Caltrans is listing the upcoming directional freeway closures on its changeable message signs in the project area.
Directional freeway closures are necessary for the contractor to completely remove temporary bridge supports over the center of the freeway without creating a safety risk to passing motorists.
Emergency vehicle access will be maintained. Pedestrians will be rerouted to a safe area outside of the construction zone. Construction work is weather permitting and subject to change.
During “Carmageddon II” weekend Sept. 29-30, construction crews will remove the last-standing bridge span and two column sets, work that will require a full 53 hours to complete due to approximately 30% more demolition activity than the previous year, as well as the presence of inactive utilities. The public is urged to cooperate with authorities once again and stay off local roads and freeways to help mitigate potentially severe congestion impacts.
Additional limited duration weekend freeway lane closures will be necessary following the demolition of Mulholland Bridge to enable the contractor to continue bridge rebuilding efforts. Metro will release additional closure information as it becomes available. Bridge reconstruction is expected to be completed next year.
The latest updates are available on Metro’s website at http://www.metro.net/405.
