Other Highlights
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: David Beltran
May 8, 2009 (213) 978-0741
MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA, GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER BREAK GROUND ON I-405 WIDENING PROJECT
The project will create 18,000 jobs and save commuters
an average of 20 minutes a day
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today joined Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and other elected officials to break ground on the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Widening Project that will create 18,000 construction jobs and save drivers an average of 20 minutes, on Friday, May 8, 2009 at 2:30 PM at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025.
“This is an important project that will improve mobility while creating thousands of much needed, high-paying jobs,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “With this shovel-ready project, Los Angeles is proving once again that we’re putting the pedal to the metal when it comes to revitalizing our economy, reducing traffic, and rebuilding our City.”
Interstate 405 is one of the principal north-south interstate highways in Southern California and is typically congested fifteen hours a day. The Sepulveda Pass section of I-405 serves hundreds of thousands of commuters between the major urban centers in the San Fernando Valley, West Los Angeles and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and is the last remaining gap in the I-405 carpool lane system between I-10 and US 101.
When this project is complete, motorists will be able to travel south from the San Fernando Valley to Orange County along the I-405 in a carpool lane. The project will benefit regional commuters that use the freeway everyday, cutting more than 7 million vehicle hours of delay a year, equal to $36.9 million in delay savings. Per person, it will save drivers an average of 20 minutes a day.
The Sepulveda I-405 Widening Project will also immediately put people to work, creating 18,000 well-paying construction jobs. Once built, the improvements will also reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, promote ridesharing and improve safety by reducing vehicle weaving.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) worked together to develop this project. Metro is the lead agency for project implementation while Caltrans will provide design approvals and construction oversight.
Additional improvements will include realigning existing on- and off-ramps; removing, replacing and constructing new bridge and ramp structures; building approximately 18 miles of retaining sound structures; and performing road improvements on adjacent city streets. The project is expected to be completed by spring 2013.
# # #
May 8, 2009 (213) 978-0741
MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA, GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER BREAK GROUND ON I-405 WIDENING PROJECT
The project will create 18,000 jobs and save commuters
an average of 20 minutes a day
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today joined Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and other elected officials to break ground on the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Widening Project that will create 18,000 construction jobs and save drivers an average of 20 minutes, on Friday, May 8, 2009 at 2:30 PM at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025.
“This is an important project that will improve mobility while creating thousands of much needed, high-paying jobs,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “With this shovel-ready project, Los Angeles is proving once again that we’re putting the pedal to the metal when it comes to revitalizing our economy, reducing traffic, and rebuilding our City.”
Interstate 405 is one of the principal north-south interstate highways in Southern California and is typically congested fifteen hours a day. The Sepulveda Pass section of I-405 serves hundreds of thousands of commuters between the major urban centers in the San Fernando Valley, West Los Angeles and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and is the last remaining gap in the I-405 carpool lane system between I-10 and US 101.
When this project is complete, motorists will be able to travel south from the San Fernando Valley to Orange County along the I-405 in a carpool lane. The project will benefit regional commuters that use the freeway everyday, cutting more than 7 million vehicle hours of delay a year, equal to $36.9 million in delay savings. Per person, it will save drivers an average of 20 minutes a day.
The Sepulveda I-405 Widening Project will also immediately put people to work, creating 18,000 well-paying construction jobs. Once built, the improvements will also reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, promote ridesharing and improve safety by reducing vehicle weaving.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) worked together to develop this project. Metro is the lead agency for project implementation while Caltrans will provide design approvals and construction oversight.
Additional improvements will include realigning existing on- and off-ramps; removing, replacing and constructing new bridge and ramp structures; building approximately 18 miles of retaining sound structures; and performing road improvements on adjacent city streets. The project is expected to be completed by spring 2013.
# # #