Councilman Rosendahl on Weekend Street Closures

From Councilman Bill Rosendahl:

Councilmember Bill Rosendahl urged his constituents to be aware of two major events scheduled to take place this weekend that will force the closures of a major interstate and a popular boulevard on the Westside.

Metro plans to close the 405 Freeway between the 10 and the 101 Freeways from Friday night to Monday morning. The closure is necessary to finish the demolition of the Mulholland Bridge and continue work on the Sepulveda Pass Improvement Project.

Nearby on Sunday morning, approximately 2500 athletes will take part in the Herbalife Triathlon Los Angeles. The event will start in the waters off Venice Beach, continue onto Venice Blvd, and end at LA LIVE in downtown. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation will close Venice Boulevard while the athletes make their way east.

“I want my constituents to be aware of these major events taking place in our City this weekend,” said Rosendahl. “Whether you’re going to church or meeting friends, driving in LA on Sunday morning will take some patience and a little planning.”

CLOSURES:

There are two major arteries on the Westside — one north-south and one east-west — that will be closed simultaneously over the weekend:

-The Sepulveda Pass on the 405 Freeway (between I-10 and 101 Freeway) – 7 p.m. Friday to 5:00 a.m. Monday

-Venice Blvd. –  7:00 a.m. to approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sunday

A spokesperson with LADOT says that people driving toward the triathlon course route between the hours of 3 a.m. and 11 a.m. can expect to have their normal routes altered. The closer the street is to the beach, the sooner it will reopen.

The cycle and run portion of the triathlon is managed in three sectors, with streets closing and opening in waves as the competitors move from Venice to downtown. To ensure the safety of the competitors, spectators, and vehicular traffic, the Los Angeles Police Department and Department of Transportation officers will not allow vehicles to cross the course.

Some streets, such as Pacific, will open up very quickly. Streets closer to Fairfax/Olympic will remain closed longer, due to the nature of the course.

ALTERNATE ROUTES

LADOT suggests using Washington Blvd, Olympic Blvd, or Pico Blvd, or the 10 Freeway for people needing an east-west route to get to their destination.

As for a north-south route, LADOT is recommending people use Sepulveda Blvd, Lincoln Blvd, or Centinela Ave, and the 405 south of the 10 Freeway as an alternative.

PARKING

Residents and visitors parked along the route are reminded to pay close attention to temporary ‘no parking’ signage and to move their vehicles off the route the night prior to the event in order to avoid having their vehicles cited and towed.

‘THE FINISH LINE’

Over the last several weeks, Rosendahl and his staff have worked with race organizers to make sure sufficient notice was provided as it relates to the race, parking, and street closures. The office requested that race organizers work with media partners in the district on advertising and story placement in an effort to alert as many residents as possible about the race and its impact on neighborhoods.

In the months leading up to the closures this weekend, Rosendahl has encouraged people to drive less and find alternatives to short car trips.

“”Once again, all eyes will be on our great City,” said Rosendahl. “And I’m confident — once again — that we will show the world that despite being known as the car capital of the world, Angelenos can and do enjoy taking alternative modes of transportation.”

Street closure information can be found at the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation: Traffic Info page or by calling the department’s hotline (323) 224-6534.

For a DOT map of the course by segments, click here.