Live chat on Metro.net on June 29 on upcoming 405 closure

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Here’s the news release from Metro:

Next Live Chat Wednesday, June 29 at Noon

Have Questions About I-405 Construction or July 16-17 Closure for Mulholland Bridge Demolition? Ask the Experts During Metro’s Live Internet Chat

Los Angeles, Calif. (June 20, 2011) — As L.A. prepares for the 53-hour closure of the I-405 freeway between the I-10 and U.S. 101 the weekend of July 16-17, the public is being encouraged to plan ahead, avoid the area or stay home. What are the best ways to avoid or minimize the impacts of the closure? Metro’s experts can give you advice. They will also answer general questions about the massive $1 billion I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project during the 1-hour live internet chat from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 29 at metro.net.

Share your thoughts and ideas with Doug Failing, Metro’s Executive Director of Highway Projects, and K.N. Murthy, Executive Director of Transit Project Delivery for Metro. The topic: I-405: Countdown to Closure.

Why does the freeway have to be closed in both directions? Has California had to cope with other massive freeway closures? Who’s warning tourists and trucks arriving from other places?  Send in advance questions or sign on during the live chat.

The June 29 chat is another effort in an aggressive outreach plan to inform the public about the I-405 project and the July 16-17 freeway closure. For more information on the I-405 project go to metro.net/I-405, twitter.com/I_405 or facebook.com/405project. For more information on Metro’s Live Chats go to metro.net/news. To post live questions during the chat go to metro.net or to e-mail advance questions go to metro.net/chat.

Categories: Inside Metro, Projects

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9 replies ›

  1. Steve,

    Any update on whether Sepulveda will be closed to all except local traffic and buses? The metro.net/405 page still implies that Sepulveda will be open/clogged for all traffic. Less than two weeks to go; I don’t understand why this no-brainer decision is being left to the last minute.

  2. I’m holding out hope for exclusive access for Metro Rapid 761 through the Sepulveda Pass, but in an earlier news release the Van Nuys-LAX FlyAway buses did not seem to have access to the Pass on the weekend of the closure and will travel via downtown. So why is it that buses are not given priority as a contingency measure, especially in lieu of non-existent Valley-Westside rail? The 405 closure has been compared to the Bay Bridge closure and our own 1984 Olympics; but the Bay Area has BART and RTD buses had special priority on closed LA streets. I’m sure we could have a better plan than asking those affected commuters to take the Orange Line to the Red Line (or Metrolink’s special trains) and then getting stuck in detour traffic on the 2, 4/704, 20/720, 33/733 (and why no temporary bus lanes for any crucial WestsideRed Line connecting buses? Expo would have been a big help here if if was open by now.) This contingency plan is not going to get potential commuters out of their cars if they weigh their options and find it’s better to just stay in their cars. One thing not mentioned is how will the weather on that weekend be like? If we have a heatwave, count on those from the valleys heading to the beaches. Thanks Steve for your efforts in getting some clarity on the 761 issue. I’m hoping this is not something where Metro’s highway division is not coordinating with Metro’s public transit division.

  3. I want to know if the 761 will be getting priority as well. Unfortunately, Metro has ignored me each time I’ve asked.

    • Hi Joe;

      Plans for the 761 are still being finalized. When we have solid info to pass along, we will.

      Steve Hymon
      Editor, The Source

  4. Ditto what LAofAnaheim asked.

    Ideally, Sepulveda Blvd would be closed to all but local traffic, buses, and bikes. Why is the subway free but not the 761? The subway doesn’t connect the Valley to the Westside.

  5. Here’s a legitimate question that needs to be asked: Will the Rapid 761 and 233 local bus get priority on Sepulveda boulevard when traveling between the Valley and the Westside over the weekend? Or will the buses be treated the same as cars?