(3/24/09 by Dave Emerson) It’s a glorious spring day here in Los Alamitos, but that’s not the only change in the air today.
Tonight’s the nights for the Orange County Transportation Authority’s local “Open House” to discuss the accelerated construction schedule and details of the O.C.T.A.’s multi-faceted project designed to improve traffic flow throughout the 405/605/22 interchange area running from Valley View to Palo Verde.
This includes reducing the Seal Beach Blvd. Bridge over the 405 to one lane for general traffic in each direction begining early in 2010.
Now that I’ve got your attention, here are some of the details, along with links for more info:
Construction is expected to take almost 4 years, from early in 2010 into late 2013. The construction start date was moved up from August, 2010, using federal stimulus dollars (the feds are very interested in “shovel ready” projects to get money into the economy as quickly as possible.
Seal Beach Blvd. Bridge over troubled Freeways:
The Seal Beach Blvd. /405 bridge is being rebuilt to allow widening of the 405 to include a carpool lane in each directon, but a bonus will be expanding the bridge itself from two lanes in each direction to four northbound and three southbound. (I have no idea why the difference–seems like it makes it easier for us to go north on the 405 and easier for people in Liesure World and central Seal Beach to go south. Or maybe they’re favoring ambulances going from Liesure world to Los Al Medical Center. If you know, I’ve saved a comment spot for you!)
Work on the Seal Beach Blvd. Bridge won’t begin until work is completed on the both the Valley View/405 bridge and the west 405 to 7th St. bridge, which probably won’t be until mid 2011. During the first phase of construction of the Seal Beach Boulevard Bridge, one lane will be open in each direction and a center median will be dedicated to emergency vehicle use only. During the second phase of construction, two lanes will be available in each direction.
Other closures:
Here’s the word directly from O.C.T.A.:
The northbound I-405 to westbound SR-22 connector, otherwise known as the 7th Street bridge, will be closed for approximately one year during construction. Unfortunately, unlike the Valley View Street and Seal Beach Boulevard Bridges, this structure cannot be reconstructed one half at a time.
The eastbound SR-22 to northbound I-405 connector will be closed for approximately ten months while it is being reconstructed.
The southbound I-605/southbound I-405 connector and eastbound SR-22/southbound I-405 connectors will also be closed for approximately two weeks at different times during the project.
Recommended detour routes will be publicized well in advance of each closure.
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There’s lots more info available at the OCTA’s West County Connectors page: After you click, scroll down first for an overview with more photos, then scroll back up and click on the links to the pdf files that most interest you. You can click here to go directly to a series of photos on the phases of the Seal Beach Blvd./405 Bridge construction.
If you want to ask questions at tonight’s open house, or even to get a seat, it would be a good idea to get there early.
If you would like additional information regarding the West County Connectors project, y0o can contact Christina Byrne at (714) 560-5717 or fill out their Keep Me Informed Page. I’ve already signed up, and will do my best to pass on the most cogent information.
As always, your thoughts and comments are welcome. If you make it to tonight’s presentation, or have other significant knowledge of this project, please share it with the rest of us. Remember to keep the language “family friendly” and the tone relatively respectful.
Related posts:
Has anyone noticed the increasing number of big rig trucks and RVs parked overnight at the Los Al Racetrack parking lot – some across from Costco, and some near the entrance to the track on Katella? Why is the track and the City of Cypress not enforcing the city code? These freeloading vagabonds are a nuisance and danger to the community. See LA Times article (4/5) linking truckers to serial killers.
Yes, we have noticed, but it is the City of Cypress. As you know, unless we are “good neighbors” and let the City of Cypress walk all over the City of Los Alamitos by giving them everything they want they won’t do squat for us.
So, if Serial Killer Truck Drivers are there, well heck, even people in most of Los Al won’t mind because they will only prey on the scum that live in Carrier Row and New Dutchhaven. And as has been made clear by a poster in this blog, we deserve it.
Recall Update
The Los Alamitos City Clerk returned the first recall petition for seven corrections. These corrections have been made and at about 11:50 this morning the petitioners returned with a corrected petition to Los Alamitos City Hall within the 10 day time period. The Los Alamitos City Clerk has 10 days to confirm that the petition is complete and satisfactory.
Are we still building freeways in Orange County? Ever heard “energy crisis” world oil supply will end in 40 years? The money better used to create jobs in public transportation like community buses.
The construction is actually to enhance the carpool lanes by connecting them between the 405, 605, & 22. I believe they are also adding a second carpool lane each way between the 405/22 merge and the 605.
So, in the sense of encouraging carpooling, it is environmentally friendly.
But I’d also like to see OCTA/Federal/State/LA County/Disney money used to run a monorail or light rail down Willow/Katella connecting the Blue line, Long Beach airport, Cal State, Disney Resort area, Angel Stadium, & the Honda Center, then splitting with one line running northeast to Corona & Ontario airport, where it would connect with a high speed rail to Las Vegas.
The other leg would run south from Angel Stadium through downtown Santa Ana to John Wayne Airport, where it would connect with a high speed rail line running to San Diego.
It wouldn’t happen overnight, but “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”