Metro OKs Plans for New Bridge Over 405 at Mulholland

Despite community concerns, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and Caltrans officials have announced they'll go ahead with the original plan to demolish and rebuild a bridge over the 405 at the Mulholland Drive exit.

The plan calls for the new Mulholland bridge to be constructed in the same location as the existing bridge. Transit crews will demolish the existing span and gradually construct the new bridge, one half at a time.

It’s all part of the $1-billion I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvement Project, which y adds a 10-mile carpool lane on the freeway.

Due to concerns raised by the community regarding traffic impact during construction, Metro and Caltrans had considered alternatives that could minimize road congestion.

The community suggested that transit officials build a new overpass about 200 feet south of the current Mulholland bridge, before dismantling the existing one.

The proposed realignment of the bridge would allow Metro and Caltrans to build a parallel bridge while the existing bridge remained open to traffic during construction. There would be no need to relocate utilities and it would save about $4 million.

However, at a community meeting Thursday, Metro officials said they’re sticking with the original plan.

"Due to anticipated extended delays that would be required for approval through the City of Los Angeles’ process, the project team will resort to the original baseline design of the demolition and reconstruction of the Mulholland bridge," Metro announced.

Utility relocation is scheduled to begin early this summer; the Mulholland bridge demolition will follow, starting with the north side; and the bridge reconstruction is to begin this fall.

The I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvement Project is a joint partnership between Metro and Caltrans. It includes demolishing and rebuilding the bridges at Sunset Boulevard and Skirball Center and Mulholland drives; realigning 27 on- and off-ramps; widening 13 existing underpasses and structures; and constructing approximately 18 miles of retaining walls and sound walls.

“There were many neighborhood associations and MECA (Mulholland Education Corridor Association) who supported the [Mulholland bridge] realignment and recognized the threat to public safety, emergency response time and transportation that will occur with the original plan,” said Encino Neighborhood Council Vice President Laurie Kelson in an open letter to neighbors.

She added: “The CAC (Community Advisory Committee) members will continue to work on whatever mitigation can be attained to lessen the nightmare of this project to our neighborhood.”

For more detailed information about the project, closures and detours, go to metro.net/projects/I-405;. or call the project hotline at 213-922-3665.

Article courtesy Encino Patch.