Sunset off-ramp to close for 4 months

A new Sunset off-ramp takes shape in advance of a lengthy closure starting next month. Photo/Metro

Say so long—for a long time—to the Sunset off-ramp to the northbound 405 Freeway. Starting Aug. 3, the ramp will close for 120 days, adding another level of complication to one of the region’s longest-running construction zones.

The closure will enable construction workers to create a longer, better configured off-ramp as part of the 405 Project, which also includes a 10-mile northbound carpool lane along with other improvements. As it currently stands, the work isn’t expected to be finished until Nov. 30, two days after Thanksgiving. Metro’s list of suggested detours is here.

A big impact of the Sunset ramp closure will be on morning commuters to UCLA. An estimated 800 motorists an hour travel the ramp during the peak morning travel time.

It’s not the only long-term ramp closure scheduled to hit this summer. The eastbound Wilshire Boulevard on-ramp to the northbound 405 will also be closing, for 90 days starting August 22.

“The traffic issues will be in completely different areas,” said Kasey Shuda, construction relations manager for the project, adding that officials will be evaluating how the two closures affect traffic flow and have contingency plans to put in place should they be needed.

Adding to the overall pain, Sepulveda Boulevard—a popular alternative to the 405—also closes most nights for construction work, although it remains open during the daytime.

In the slightly better news department, project officials said they’ve installed 5 new and more visible message signs to make it easier for motorists to see at a glance which ramps are closing ahead for overnight work. Those nightly ramp closures are in addition to the upcoming long-running closures of the Wilshire and Sunset ramps.

Posted 7/25/13