Los Angeles is a car-first city, and SoCal as a whole depends heavily on its freeways to get us around. Staying informed about traffic disruptions is essential to avoiding unexpected detours and hours behind the wheel. Now, a major lane reduction is coming to one of the county’s busiest roads: the 405 Freeway.
405 Freeway lane reductions
According to Caltrans, the southbound I-405 will be reduced to three lanes between Ventura Boulevard and Mulholland Drive from 10 p.m. on Friday, October 23, through 5 a.m. on Monday, October 26. The extended weekend work will last 55 hours.
The restrictions affect southbound traffic through the Sepulveda Pass, while northbound lanes will not be reduced. However, the northbound exit to Getty Center Drive will also close.
Drivers should be aware of the following additional ramp closures:
- Ventura Boulevard: The on-ramp to the southbound 405 will close.
- Valley Vista Boulevard/Sepulveda Boulevard: Both the southbound 405 off-ramp and the on-ramp to the southbound freeway will close.
- Getty Center Drive: The northbound 405 off-ramp will close.
What are the alternative routes?
According to Caltrans, Sepulveda Boulevard is a potential surface-street alternative for some trips through the area, although drivers should expect congestion on surrounding roads as traffic shifts away from the freeway.
If you need to travel through the Sepulveda Pass, allow extra time, check your route before leaving, and monitor Caltrans QuickMap for real-time traffic conditions and updates on closures. Public transit may also be a practical option for avoiding the affected stretch.
The closures are due to work for the I-405 Pavement Rehabilitation Project, which covers the freeway between Van Nuys and Westwood. The project has a budget of approximately $143.7 million and aims to improve safety and mobility while extending the pavement’s lifespan.
