Relocating utilities has been a major challenge during the 405 widening project.

On Thursday, Metro staff gave a progress report to the Metro Board’s Construction Committee on the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project.  Project staff reported that the mega project has overcome some mega challenges over the last three years as it works to improve the I-405 freeway and add a northbound carpool lane between West L.A. and the San Fernando Valley.

Project managers say the project is now two-thirds complete and that they will continue to open the project in phases to ensure the traveling public has safe access to significant improvements as soon as they’re ready for use.

With three years of major construction now completed, the project team has achieved a substantial amount of work to date, including new Wilshire on and off-ramps, a new and wider Sunset Bridge, I-10 interchange improvements, Sepulveda Boulevard improvements and a new on-ramp at Skirball.

By the end of the year, the project anticipates completing all bridges and utility work will be nearly complete with project ramps, underpasses, soundwalls and retaining walls.

There have been issues that have slowed the pace of construction, added costs and extended the ultimate completion for parts of the project. Metro estimates that the cost of the freeway improvements project will be higher primarily due to previously unknown but required utility relocation work.

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