Yesterday, I wrote about Caltrans initiating a project (PDF link) to complete Phase III of the I-405/US 101 interchange construction. Caltrans describes the project as follows: Extend the auxiliary lane past the Greenleaf off-ramp to the Route 101 Connector, close the loop on-ramp from eastbound Ventura Blvd., and construct a bypass of the Ventura Blvd./Sepulveda Blvd. Maintain the Sepulveda Blvd . on-ramp(at the Intersection from Dickens St. to the Greenleaf St.) and braid (grade separate) the slip on-ramp from Sepulveda Blvd. to northbound Route 405, by carrying the slip on-ramp under Route 101 connector lanes, to eliminate the existing weave in this congested area. Acquisition of additional right-of-way, temporary construction easement, and permanent footing easement will be required as part of this project.
There were some additional tidbits in today’s Daily News article on the project. First, while the interchange work is under way, Caltrans will also break ground on a short segment of a northbound 405 carpool lane through the interchange. The article doesn’t say whether this will extend the lanes to connect with the current NB start just after Burbank Bl. Second, sometime during the next few months, three ramps will be closed in the area: the on- and off-ramps at Greenleaf Street/Sepulveda Boulevard, and the on-ramp at Ventura Boulevard/Galleria Lane. The former will reopen in phases: the Greenleaf on-ramp to US 101 in early 2006, while the Greenleaf underpass to I-405 in early 2007. The latter is permanently closed. Of course, what this will mean to commuters like me is increased congestion during construction 🙁
Click here for a map showing this interchange.
