Allison BarnetteOne of the busiest freeway segments in the U.S. is about to undergo a major overhaul. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced a four-year, $143.7 million pavement rehabilitation project to improve travel along the Sepulveda Pass between the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles.
Starting in spring or summer 2025, the project will upgrade a 10.2-mile stretch of Interstate 405 from Victory Boulevard to Wilshire Boulevard. The work will span approximately 92 lane miles—two lanes in each direction—and is scheduled for completion in winter 2029.
The improvements are meant to enhance roadway safety, extend pavement life and modernize infrastructure to meet current standards. Work includes replacing pavement, upgrading guardrails and signage, improving pedestrian access with ADA compliant curb ramps and enhancing drainage systems. Fiber-optic communication infrastructure will also be upgraded to support traffic management.
While construction may cause intermittent noise, dust, and traffic delays, Caltrans says the long-term benefits include safer, smoother commutes for the hundreds of thousands who travel the corridor daily.
Planned upgrades include:
- Replacing two lanes in each direction from Victory Boulevard to Mulholland Drive.
- Repairing additional lane sections within the project limits.
- Replacing approach and departure slabs at six bridge locations.
- Rehabilitating or replacing 10 drainage culverts.
- Upgrading 10 curb ramps to meet ADA standards.
- Installing 6,400 feet of new metal beam guardrail.
- Replacing 98 sign panels with retroreflective signage and upgrading two overhead structures.
- Constructing four new maintenance vehicle pullouts.
- Enhancing 2.5 miles of fiber-optic conduit and replacing fiber-optic cables.
A virtual public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 24 at 6 p.m. to provide details and answer community questions.
Photo Courtesy
Andreas Praefcke via Wikimedia Commons
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
