Motorists heading between the San Fernando Valley and the Westside this weekend should brace for severe traffic as construction cuts southbound Interstate 405 to three lanes and closes several key ramps.
Caltrans crews are undertaking a major $144 million repaving project on southbound I-405, with substantial delays expected through the Sepulveda Pass.
Starting at 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, southbound I-405 will be narrowed to three lanes from Ventura Boulevard to Mulholland Drive. Caltrans said the lane restrictions will stay in effect until 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14.
A second weekend of identical closures and roadwork is planned from 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, until 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28.
Northbound I-405 traffic through the Sepulveda Pass will remain open, with no lane reductions scheduled.
The following freeway ramps will also be closed during the construction:
• Ventura Boulevard on-ramp to southbound I-405
• Southbound I-405 off-ramp to Valley Vista Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard
• Valley Vista Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard on-ramp to southbound I-405
• Northbound I-405 off-ramp to Getty Center Drive
The 405 isn’t the only freeway where construction could snarl weekend traffic.
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Drivers on the 105 Freeway will also face lane closures as work continues on the I-105 ExpressLanes Project, one of Los Angeles County’s largest transportation projects, according to Metro.
The $1.4 billion project will replace the freeway’s existing carpool lane with two ExpressLanes in each direction between the I-405 and I-605 freeways.
Metro expects construction to continue through 2029.
The next round of closures will take place Friday, Sept. 11, Saturday, Sept. 12, and Sunday, Sept. 13, along westbound I-105 between Wilmington Avenue and the I-110 Freeway.
Crews will close the freeway’s two innermost lanes, to install overhead sign structures for the ExpressLanes project. The westbound Wilmington Avenue on-ramp will also be shut down.
Other westbound lanes will remain open during the work. Metro says signs and traffic-control measures will be used to direct drivers through the construction zone, but drivers should still expect delays.
More work is planned later this month. Another extended closure is scheduled for Sept. 26 and 27, when lanes on eastbound I-105 will be closed between I-405 and Crenshaw Boulevard. On-ramps in the area could also be shut down as necessary.
Transportation officials are encouraging drivers affected by the freeway work to consider alternate routes or public transportation.
Drivers can check Caltrans QuickMap for current traffic conditions and detours, while additional construction schedule updates are available through Caltrans District 7 News.
The I-405 Pavement Rehabilitation Project stretches from Van Nuys to Westwood and is intended to extend the life of the pavement and improve freeway safety.
Nearby communities may experience temporary noise, dust and ground vibrations while work is underway.