Segment of San Fernando Blvd. Under I-5 in Burbank to CLOSE Permanently in Mid-May

A half-mile segment of San Fernando Boulevard in Burbank will close permanently in mid-May. The closed portion is the segment that crosses under I-5 between the Lincoln Street off-ramp on the east side of the freeway and the Lincoln Street/Victory Place intersection on the west. Check the I-5 website at the end of April for the exact closure date, or call the I-5 Info Line at (855) 454-6335. In the meantime, here are common questions we’re getting about this closure:

So, is this really PERMANENT? Yes. San Fernando Boulevard will be realigned so that it connects directly to Empire Avenue. There will be a NEW undercrossing at Empire Avenue that will open in mid-2017, creating a new east-west link.

Why is this necessary? The closure is part of the Empire Project, which includes elevating the railroad tracks adjacent to I-5. Closing San Fernando Boulevard is necessary to construct temporary railroad tracks that will allow trains to keep operating during construction. More info about the Empire Project is here.

Will ramps be affected? Yes. The northbound I-5 Lincoln Street off-ramp and southbound San Fernando Boulevard on-ramp will be closed permanently. The southbound Scott Road/Burbank Boulevard off-ramp will be closed when San Fernando Boulevard is closed and will be integrated into the new Empire Avenue interchange.

Is there a detour? Yes. A detour will be posted to route motorists around the closure. Here it is:

You can view a larger version of the detour map here.

What about congestion on surrounding streets? Initially, there may be more congestion, but we find that traffic tends to flow more smoothly once motorists get used to taking another route. To ease congestion, Caltrans is working with the City of Burbank to implement traffic circulation improvements on local streets — such as corridor timing and new signals — before San Fernando Boulevard is closed. Buena Vista Street will also be reconfigured to accommodate additional traffic.

Questions? Visit I-5info.com or call the toll-free I-5 Info Line at 855.454.6335.

Delays on Pacific Coast Highway (SR-1) for Maintenance

Caltrans will close one lane of Pacific Coast Highway (SR-1) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to repair damaged guardrail along the highway during the following days and times:

Wednesday, April 9
Northbound SR-1 from just north of Topanga Canyon Boulevard (SR-27) to Tuna Canyon Road

Thursday, April 10

Southbound SR-1 from Bay Club Drive to just south of Temescal Canyon Road

Friday, April 11
Northbound SR-1 at Big Rock Road

Minor delays are expected.  Closures are subject to change.
 

Caltrans reminds motorists to Slow For The Cone Zone and Move Over. It’s the law.

I-5 Full Freeway Closure This Weekend in Burbank (But It's a Short One!)

If you’ll be driving I-5 in Burbank very late this coming Saturday/very early Sunday morning, take note: the entire freeway will be closed for about two hours. Details below.

What: I-5 will be closed in both directions between Buena Vista Street and Lincoln Street in Burbank on Sunday, April 13, 2014, 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.

When: Lane closures will begin at 11:59 p.m. on April 12. All lanes will be closed by 2 a.m. on April 13 and will open by 4 a.m.

Why: The closure is necessary to ensure the safety of motorists and crews while overhead utility lines are removed as part of the Empire Project. More info about the project is here.

Alternate Routes: To avoid delays, consider using SR-170 instead of I-5. Motorists heading northbound on I-5 can take westbound SR-134 to northbound SR-170. Those traveling southbound can take southbound SR-170 at the I-5/SR-170 interchange, and then eastbound SR-134 to pick up southbound I-5.

Detour: A clearly marked detour will direct motorists who are diverted off I-5 during the closure and those seeking to access the freeway from local streets.

Signs: Electronic freeway signs will provide advance warning to motorists to allow them to avoid the closure area if desired.

Questions? Check on out the closure notification here, or call us on the I-5 Info Line at 855.454.6335.

Maricopa Highway (SR-33): A Beautiful Partnership

Maricopa Highway (SR-33) in Ojai

If you’re driving on Maricopa Highway (SR-33) in Ojai, you’ll see an amazing array of purple (close to blue, right?) and gold flowers in the center median near Nordhoff High School. 

The idea was birthed by two lifelong residents of Ojai, one who works at the Caltrans Maintenance Station in Ojai and another who works for Ojai’s Public Works Department, both are Nordhoff alumni.  They wanted to improve the aesthetics of the center median of the highway, use native and drought-tolerant plants, and show some community and Ranger pride. 

Ojai’s Department of Public Works provided the funds and irrigation and Caltrans provided the plants and support. 

Overall, a great partnership to improve the aesthetics of the highway that many agree is a great improvement. 

Big thanks to all those with the Ojai Department of Public Works that helped make this possible.

It’s Baaaaack! Bypass Lane Coming to Southbound I-5 in North Los Angeles County

If you use I-5 in north Los Angeles, get ready for the return of the bypass lane.

Beginning Friday, April 4, at 5 a.m. through late May 2014, a temporary bypass lane will be implemented on southbound I-5 between Smokey Bear Road and one mile south of Vista Del Lago Road while crews pave the two left lanes of southbound I-5. (More info about the project is here.)

Bypass Lane Configuration: The inside lane of northbound I-5 will temporarily become a southbound lane at all times between Smokey Bear Road and one mile south of Vista Del Lago Road, a distance of about 4 miles. Southbound motorists using the bypass lane will be driving to the left of the existing median and should prepare to shift to the bypass lane as they near Smokey Bear Road. A temporary concrete barrier separates the northbound and southbound lanes.

Closed/Open Southbound Lanes: The two left southbound lanes – the lane closest to the bypass lane, will be CLOSED. The two right southbound lanes will be OPEN, like this:

Reason for the Bypass Lane: The bypass lane allows three traffic lanes in each direction to remain open while work is underway on the two inside southbound lanes and will reduce the duration of the project.

Lane Closures for Bypass Prep Work THIS WEEK: Up to two lanes will be closed in each direction of I-5 between Smokey Bear Road and Vista Del Lago Road from 9 p.m. to noon, April 2-4, 2014, while crews stripe the pavement and set up concrete barriers for the bypass lane. At least two lanes will be open to motorists at all times.  

View the traffic advisory online here.

Questions? Check out I-5info.com or call the toll-free I-5 Info Line at 855.454.6335.

Pacific Coast Highway (SR-1) Construction Alert

You may have noticed recently posted signs along SR-1 alerting you of upcoming work along this busy and scenic corridor. Beginning April 15, and anticipated to continue through April, 2015 the Los Angeles Department of Public Works will construct a Coastal Interceptor Relief Sewer (CIRS). The work, which is part of the Proposition O Clean Water Bond program, will require lane closures along SR-1 in the City of Santa Monica. Further project information can be found by visiting the Los Angeles Proposition O project website.

To stay informed on all current and upcoming work and sign up for PCH updates, we encourage you to visit the PCH Partners website.

PCH Construction to Bring Long-term Traffic Troubles

From the Malibu Times

Southbound PCH lane to close for one year starting April 15; officials brace for California Incline closure in fall. 
 
The first of two long-term construction projects on Pacific Coast Highway begins a week from Tuesday, with potentially major effects on traffic for motorists in Malibu, Santa Monica and all points in between.

Starting Tuesday, April 15, one southbound lane of PCH will be closed for one year along a 900-foot stretch south of Chautauqua Boulevard while workers complete a City of Los Angeles project to expand sewer capacity to handle polluted urban runoff during dry weather.

In September, the California Incline in Santa Monica will also close for one year to undergo stabilization work, and nearby Moomat Ahiko Way will undergo a brief repaving process.

April 15 sewer project

Formally called the Coastal Interceptor Relief Sewer (CIRS) project, the nearly $9 million project will see roadwork practically around the clock.

The closure will begin at The Beach Club, a private club just south of Chautauqua Boulevard, and stretch 900 feet south to the Annenberg Community Beach House.

Work will be done Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and nights from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Saturday, work will be performed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Work will not be done during the day Sunday.  

Read on... 

For information about other projects on PCH, please visit www.pchpartners.org