Metro, Metrolink Add New Transit Services for I-405 Closure

In efforts to further encourage the public to utilize transit as much as possible instead of driving during the planned I-405 closure weekend July 16-17, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and Metrolink have both bolstered their planned transit services for the closure weekend.

Metro will provide free rides as well as additional bus service on the Metro Orange Line during the closure weekend to further spur transit trips between the San Fernando Valley and downtown Los Angeles. This is in addition to previously announced free rides on the the Metro Red/Purple Line subway. 

Valley residents are encouraged to park at available park and ride lots at North Hollywood, Van Nuys, Sepulveda, Balboa, Reseda, Pierce College and Canoga Stations that together offer more than 4,000 parking spaces and ride Metro to reach their destinations. Walking, bicycling or taking transit to access stations is also encouraged. 

The Metro Board today also gave the CEO authority to offer additional free fares on the Metro Bus and Rail system, particularly for Westside and other needed service areas. Additional free fare announcements will be made if the free fares are extended to other lines after further staff review. 

Metro also will add a total of 61 buses to normal Saturday and Sunday schedules for eight major bus lines and up to 16 buses to protect late-night and owl services serving key San Fernando Valley/Westside routes to accommodate increased travel times. Added capacity for bus lines are as follows: 

• Metro Line 2 -- Metro Local and Limited -- Downtown Los Angeles - Pacific Palisades via Sunset Bl. 15 buses added. 

• Metro Line 150 -- Metro Local - Canoga Park – Universal City Station via Ventura Bl/Northridge via Reseda Bl. 4 buses added. 

• Metro Line 534 -- Metro Express -- Malibu - Washington/Fairfax via Pacific Coast Hwy. 5 buses added. 

• Metro Line 704 -- Metro Rapid -- Downtown Los Angeles - Santa Monica via Santa Monica Blvd. 8 buses added. 

• Metro Line 720 -- Metro Rapid -- Santa Monica - Commerce via Wilshire Blvd. & Whittier Blvd. 5 buses added. 

• Metro Line 733 -- Metro Rapid -- Downtown Los Angeles - Santa Monica via Venice Blvd. 8 buses added. 

• Metro Line 761 -- Metro Rapid -- Pacoima - Westwood via Van Nuys Blvd. 8 buses added. Note – buses will be using Sepulveda Boulevard between Ventura Boulevard and Getty Center Drive. 

• Metro Line 901 -- Metro Orange Line. 8 buses added. 
Both the Metro Red and Purple Lines will operate weekday peak period service levels, or approximately every 10 minutes all weekend, with six- and four-car trains, respectively. 

Metro will closely monitor traffic congestion on all routes in the I-405 construction area and will make needed adjustments to bus service based on the current traffic conditions. Transit patrons should, however, anticipate longer trip times to reach their destinations and plan accordingly. 

Metrolink will supplement its current weekend schedule by offering seven round-trips on its Ventura County Line and nine additional trips on its Antelope Valley Line during the closure weekend. Metrolink will also offer its $10 Weekend Pass, which enables passengers to ride any 

Metrolink train, as many times as they would like between Friday night at 7 p.m. and Sunday night at 11:59 p.m. for one low rate. More information on Metrolink service and affordable ticketing options can be found at metrolinktrains.com. 
For additional information on Metro bus schedules, visit metro.net.

Changeable Message Signs on Freeways Announce I-405 Extended July Closure 

Sixty-four Changeable Message Signs (CMS) located on most Los Angeles County freeways began displaying information about the upcoming closure of the San Diego Freeway (I-405) over the weekend of July 16-17. 

The closure is necessary to replace the Mulholland Bridge as part of the northbound I-405 HOV 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 HOV 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 began appearing the evening of Friday, June 10 and will be in effect every weekend until two weeks before the closure; at that time, the message will be displayed around the clock. 

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 as far north as just below the Oregon State Line. 

“Caltrans knows from past experience how effective CMS signs are in conveying information to the motoring public,” said District 7 Director Mike Miles. “We are spreading the word as far as possible to ensure that people know to stay away from the closure area and limit driving over the July 16-17 weekend.”

For more information or updates about the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project, visit metro.net/I-405.