Traffic nightmare looms for LA drivers as major freeways choked off this weekend

By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-09-11 19:16:32 | Updated at 2026-09-11 20:12:54 1 hour ago

Drivers traveling between the San Fernando Valley and the Westside this weekend should prepare for traffic hell as construction squeezes the 405 down to just three southbound lanes and shutters several ramps.

The Sepulveda Pass is expected to see significant delays as crews carry out a major $144 million repaving project on southbound Interstate 405.

Beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, southbound I-405 will be reduced to three lanes between Ventura Boulevard and Mulholland Drive. The restrictions will remain in place through 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14, according to Caltrans

Heavy traffic on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles, California.The Sepulveda Pass is expected to see significant delays as crews carry out major repaving work on southbound Interstate 405. Getty Images

Another round of the same work is scheduled from 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28.

Northbound I-405 will remain open through the Sepulveda Pass without lane reductions.

Several ramps will also be unavailable during the work:

•⁠  ⁠The Ventura Boulevard on-ramp to southbound I-405

•⁠  ⁠The southbound I-405 off-ramp to Valley Vista Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard

•⁠  ⁠The Valley Vista Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard on-ramp to southbound I-405

•⁠  ⁠The northbound I-405 off-ramp to Getty Center Drive

The 405 isn’t the only freeway where construction could snarl weekend traffic.

Drivers on the 105 Freeway will also face lane closures as work continues on the I-105 ExpressLanes Project, one of Los Angeles County’s largest transportation projects, according to Metro.

The $1.4 billion project will replace the freeway’s existing carpool lane with two ExpressLanes in each direction between the I-405 and I-605 freeways. 

Traffic moves along the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles, California.Transportation officials are encouraging drivers affected by the freeway work to consider alternate routes or public transportation. Getty Images

Metro expects construction to continue through 2029.

The next round of closures will take place Friday, Sept. 11, Saturday, Sept. 12, and Sunday, Sept. 13, along westbound I-105 between Wilmington Avenue and the I-110 Freeway.

Crews will close the freeway’s two innermost lanes, to install overhead sign structures for the ExpressLanes project. The westbound Wilmington Avenue on-ramp will also be shut down.

Other westbound lanes will remain open during the work. Metro says signs and traffic-control measures will be used to direct drivers through the construction zone, but drivers should still expect delays.

More work is planned later this month. Another extended closure is scheduled for Sept. 26 and 27, when lanes on eastbound I-105 will be closed between I-405 and Crenshaw Boulevard. On-ramps in the area could also be shut down as necessary.

Transportation officials are encouraging drivers affected by the freeway work to consider alternate routes or public transportation.

Drivers can check Caltrans QuickMap for current traffic conditions and detours, while additional construction schedule updates are available through Caltrans District 7 News.

The I-405 Pavement Rehabilitation Project stretches from Van Nuys to Westwood and is intended to extend the life of the pavement and improve freeway safety.

Nearby communities may experience temporary noise, dust and ground vibrations while work is underway.


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