Politics & Government
San Diego Freeway's July Shutdown Worries Commuters
Some are already planning alternate routes and early start times during the 53-hour closure period. Said one local: 'I just won't leave Sherman Oaks that weekend.'
As word gets out that both sides of the San Diego (405) Freeway in the Sepulveda Pass will be closed during an entire weekend in July, some people are getting anxious.
Here are the details of the closure: Starting just after midnight July 15, the 405 Freeway will be shut down in both directions from Getty Center Drive to the 101 Freeway for 53 hours, so that the south side of the Mulholland Bridge can be demolished.
The freeway section is expected to reopen at 5 a.m. July 18, according to Metro officials.
Find out what's happening in Sherman Oakswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
It isn’t only people who live in Sherman Oaks or the San Fernando Valley who will be affected. Residents of West Los Angeles and those who commute on the 405 are already trying to figure out alternate routes.
“I use that freeway every day,” said West Los Angeles resident Nicole Ben, who cares for a 3-year old girl who lives in Sherman Oaks. “It’s going to be a nightmare,” she said watching over the toddler at the Playroom in Sherman Oaks. “All the canyons will probably be backed up too. Coldwater, Laurel Canyon, Beverly Glen. I’ll have to leave the house a couple hours earlier.”
Find out what's happening in Sherman Oakswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
San Fernando Valley resident Shelly Pezary, who was walking her baby in a stroller on the corner of Ventura and Beverly Glen boulevards, said she has been invited to a wedding on July 16 at a nearby hotel. “The groom is sending out notices to 400-some guests notifying them of different ways to get to the wedding and anyone who lives outside of the Valley should leave a couple hours earlier to make it to the ceremony.”
“I just won’t leave Sherman Oaks that weekend,” said Rick Lowel as he was pumping gas.
Jules Fier, who is sometimes called the honorary mayor of Sherman Oaks, said, "Unfortunately, it's part of the expansion project and Caltrans probably has no other options. It has to be done. We all will just adjust our driving during that period to get around this mess."
For more information on the 405 Freeway closure, check out the original story on Sherman Oaks Patch: patch.com/A-hz2H.
