[Caltrans] – Over the weekend of Aug. 18-19, sixty-four Changeable Message Signs (CMS) located on most Los Angeles County freeways will begin displaying information about the upcoming closure of the San Diego Freeway (I-405).

The closure, scheduled over the September 29-30 weekend, is necessary to replace the second half of the Mulholland Bridge as part of the northbound I-405 carpool lane construction project between the Santa Monica Freeway (I-10) and the Ventura Freeway (U.S. 101). When completed, this project will create a continuous carpool lane in both directions of I-405 in Los Angeles County.

Northbound I-405 will be closed from the Santa Monica Freeway (I-10) to the Ventura Freeway (U.S. 101). Southbound I-405 will be closed from U.S. 101 to Getty Center Drive.

The CMS notices will begin appearing the evening of Friday, Aug. 17, and will be in effect every weekend until two weeks before the closure; at that time, the message will be displayed around the clock.

Rubble on the 405 freeway being cleaned up during Carmageddon I in July 2011. Photo by Gary Leonard for Metro.

More than 30 additional signs will be placed at freeway locations as the closure nears. Approximately 40 to 50 such signs also will be posted on various surface streets in Los Angeles County. Signs also are appearing on north/south routes around the state from Oregon to Mexico.

“The CMS signs were extremely effective in alerting motorists to last year’s closure,” said Caltrans District 7 Director Mike Miles. “We want everyone to pay attention, stay away from the closure area and limit driving overall so that we don’t have the Carmageddon we avoided last year.”

For more information and the latest updates on the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project, visit www.metro.net/405 or follow the project on twitter: twitter.com/I_405 and Facebook at facebook.com/405project.