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The 405 freeway widening and upgrade project on the Westside and in Sepulveda Pass is about a year behind schedule. But if you haven't been through there in awhile, you might be surprised at the visuals. There are new lanes looking like they are almost ready to open, new on-ramps being built along the segment, and giant retaining walls visible beside the freeway. The Mulholland Drive overcrossing that was the cause of the two freeway-closing Carmageddon events looks pretty far along. And at the Wilshire Boulevard interchange, the skyline is very different.
Metro had previously circulated a rendering of the so-called flyover ramps that will separate drivers getting on the freeway at Wilshire from the flow of cars getting off. On the ground, it is starting to look real. Here's a selection of photos from the past week.
Redesign and reconstruction of the Wilshire Boulevard on- and off-ramps to separate traffic flows promises to be the most congestion-relieving accomplishment of the whole project. Once traffic getting on and off the freeway no longer has to jostle for position, the flow of vehicles should be smoother on the freeway and on Wilshire as far back as the cities of Santa Monica and Beverly Hills.
Noted: There's a planned closure of northbound lanes in the pass this entire weekend. Two lanes will remain open except at night, so it's best to avoid the area if you can. Details at Metro's website.
LA Observed photos
