Twelve Changeable Message Signs (CMS) located on most Los Angeles County freeways began displaying information about the upcoming closure of the San Diego Freeway (I-405) over the weekend of February 14-18.
The CMS notices began appearing the morning of Friday and will remain in effect around the clock through the duration of the closure. Twelve additional portable CMS signs will be placed at various freeway locations. Approximately 14 such signs also will be posted on various surface streets in Los Angeles County.
The planned 80-hour “Jamzilla” closure involves a complex paving operation requiring the grinding, pouring and setting of several layers of concrete in relation to the $1 billion northbound I-405 carpool lane project from the Santa Monica Freeway to U.S. 101.
The closure operation consists of a partial day-time lane reduction and a full night-time directional freeway closure on the northbound I-405 between Getty Center Drive and Ventura Boulevard. The closure area is approximately 5.6 miles long, or nearly two thirds of the entire I-405 project area.
During daytime hours, two northbound lanes will remain open while the remaining three lanes will be closed. During night-time hours, all five northbound freeway lanes in this area will be closed. The southbound I-405 will remain fully open during the day, but some southbound lanes may be closed during night-time only paving operations.
Work is scheduled to begin Friday night, February 14 starting at 11 p.m. and will last until Tuesday, February 18 at 6 a.m.
“Caltrans knows from past experience how effective CMS signs are in conveying information to the motoring public,” said Acting District 7 Director Carrie Bowen. “We are using every means possible to ensure that people know to stay away from the closure area and limit driving over Presidents’ Day weekend.”