A speedy recovery on the 405

I’ve just spent the better part of this afternoon at the demolition site of the Mulholland Drive bridge over the 405 Freeway. I’m pleased to report (and I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know) that the work is ahead of schedule. The contractor, Kiewitt Co., has been doing a superb job. Its crews moved in last night, shortly after the freeway was closed, and began the demolition of the southern half of the bridge. Before sunset late this afternoon, the flanks of that part of the historic span were almost gone.

The consensus is that the contractor will beat by a considerable amount of time the 5:00 a.m. Monday deadline for the freeway’s reopening. Things can still go wrong; this is a complicated and difficult job. But the pace is promising. We’ll know more tonight or tomorrow morning.

Thanks again to all Southern California motorists who stepped up in the last 24 hours to make this freeway closure a far different kind of event than many of us had  feared. Earlier today, as I viewed the region’s free-flowing traffic from a helicopter, I was awestruck by the clear evidence of the public’s vast cooperation. And for that little piece of “Carma-heaven” on our roads, we can all take pride.

Remember that we need to sustain this effort for just 24 to 36 more hours, until the job is done. Stay tuned to the news or to my website for the latest information on the progress of this project.

Posted 7/16/11