Mosaic Proposed for 405 Freeway Sound Walls

A section of sound wall separating the east side of Sepulveda Boulevard from the 405 Freeway should become more aesthetically-pleasing for residents to view once the mammoth construction is completed, officials say.

A public mosaic is planned to be etched into sound walls 1720 and 1730 near Homedale Street and Bronwood Avenue, according to Metro. Officials gave a glimpse into the idea at its Feb. 28 community meeting in Westwood.

"This is because there was going to be no greenery in that area and we built a huge wall in that area to maintain the [lane] widening," said Kasey Shuda, Metro community relations manager, on Friday, March 15. "We kept hearing from the community they wanted to see more green. They wanted to something in the area to look pretty."

Shuda said the city's Department of Cultural Affairs put Metro in touch with artists from Greenmeme, an L.A.-based arts collaboration that's been creating site-specific public artwork since 2005. An artist from the group has met with Metro's community advisory committee and is working to bring famous landscape structures from the area into a mosaic design.

Shuda added the community wanted more green incorporated into that barren area near the freeway, and the city allowed Metro to plant additional vines and shrubbery. They initially wanted to hang panels on the sound walls, but Shuda said they opted to request the mosaic design be etched into the wall so the vines can grow and naturally cling on.

"The vines are to enhance the artwork," Shuda said. "The community is happy. We’re happy to be able to provide."

Shuda said the final cost for the design and plantings has not been determined, but it will be expensed from the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project costs.

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