If you have been anywhere in Southern California in the last few weeks, you’ve been bombarded with a singular message: the world is coming to an end. Prepare now, or you will be living in hell.
No, I’m not referring to the rapture and the family radio crowd. I’m referring to the upcoming closure of the San Diego Freeway (I-405) in the Sepulveda Pass on July 16-17. For 53 hours, a major transportion artery will be blocked, and the heart attack is already being predicted. Here are some of the statements:
LA City Councilmember Paul Koretz: “Avoid the area like the plague…Stay the hell away from the 405 in the middle of July.”
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “Go on vacation.”
Metrolink Board Chair Richard Katz: “Since this is Los Angeles, we think this project should probably be renamed ‘The Nightmare on the 405’.”
Caltrans District 7 Director Michael Miles: It’s going to back up probably all the way to San Bernardino County…It’s just going to make a mess…You need to stay away.
Villaraigosa: “There’s gridlock on the 405 virtually any time of the day, but particularly during the rush hour, and if you think it’s bad now, let me just make something absolutely clear: On July 16 and 17, it will be an absolute nightmare.”
County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky: “Stay the heck out of here.”
Yaroslavsky: “Not one [shortcut] is going to work.”
LA City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl: “They used all the words, there’s nothing more left to say…I’ve got no hyperbole other than, folks, just grab your calendar and put an X on 15, 16 and 17 and don’t come to this side of town to get over the hill one way or the other.”
Miles: “Barbecue would be good that weekend.”
The warning machine has gotten so dire it even made Gary Richard’s column in the San Jose Mercury News!
So, I’m sure you’re asking: What does the California Highway Guy think about all of this?
I think, in many ways, it is like the Bay Bridge closure over Labor Day in 2009. Most people will be well aware of the closure, and will find alternate approaches. Tourists will be screwed.
For those who live on the westside, it will be a nightmare. For those who live in the southern part of the valley (roughly all the communities along Ventura Blvd), it will be a nightmare. I’d expect all canyon roads to be slow (especially CA 27 and the well-known alternates of Beverly Glen, Coldwater, and Laurel), as well as the nearest major freeways, both N/S (I-5, CA 170) and E/W (US 101, CA 134, and I-10). Major street arteries will likely be jammed as well. Just imagine what happens when there is a fire in the Sepulveda Pass, and expand that for 53 hours 🙂
I would expect less impact on the secondary freeways; in particular, I’m not worried about this having an impact on I-210, CA 118, I-I05, or I-605.
If you can avoid the area or going over the hill, I would do so. If you must travel, go in the other direction. That’s what I’m doing. We live in Northridge. We have theatre that weekend in Pasadena (out the 210) and in Newhall (up I-5). I’m not worried.
My bigger worry, in fact, is not the published closure days but the +/-1 days. I expect Friday to be bad, with people trying to get out of the area. I may suggest to the van that we work from home that day. Monday should be fine; the risk there is that they open up late creating difficulty for the morning commute.
