Just like a summer big budget Hollywood disaster movie, only this time without all the Michael Bay CGI, Carmageddon is about to be unleashed! And, just like said Hollywood blockbuster, things will work out in the end, though for a while, you won’t be sure how.

Beginning on July 16th and running for 54 hours, one of the most heavily trafficked parts of highway in the Los Angeles area will be completely shut down. A 10 miles stretch of the Northbound 405, between I-10 and the 101 will be closed off so demolition of the south side of the Mulholland Drive bridge can be completed. A smaller 4 miles section of the 405 will also be closed between the 101 and Getty Center Drive.

While the natural reaction would be to jump off and take Sepulveda, officials advise against that since there will be construction beginning June 13 on Sepulveda, and continuing through the 405 closure.

There are two really good solutions to avoid this mess, if you most go near it. Number one, don’t! Plan a trip with the family out of town of you can. Number two, try and use public transportation! Not only is this a good idea to begin with to reduce traffic congestion, but it’s a chance to explore parts of the city you might not ordinarily think about.

Roughly 500,000 vehicles travel along this stretch of the 405 during a typical weekend in July, and everyone should try to avoid the area to help ease the expected gridlock, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said.

Like all good Hollywood blockbusters, there WILL be a sequel! Eleven to twelve months from now this will all happen again as the North side of the bridge will be demolished and rebuilt. Don’t say you haven’t been warned!

Additional alternate route information will be made available on the project web site at www.metro.net/405.

http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/97033-planned-closure-of-the-405.html