The main freeway from Orange County into Long Beach is going to be closed for an entire year, but no one knows when.
The Seventh Street Bridge closure is the second part of the West County Connectors project. This $328 million project will also add extra carpool lanes, reconstruct on- and off-ramps, and add soundwalls and retaining walls.
The Northbound I-405 freeway to Westbound SR-22/ Seventh Street connector, known as the Seventh Street Bridge, will be shut down for a year.
“No contracts have been issued,” said Joel Zlotnik, Orange County Transportation Authority Media Relations Manager. According to Zlotnik, after a contract has been issued, the contracted company has 55 days to begin construction. No contracts have been issued because a state budget has not been passed.
“[The construction] is likely to get underway late this year, or early next year,” said Zlotnik.
There will be detour routes available through Westminster Avenue and Studebaker Rd. to make it to campus.
The West County project aims to provide a less frantic and dangerous carpool experience for drivers on the I-405, SR-22 and I-605. When completed, the carpool lanes will be connected so that there is no need to weave in and out of traffic, and drivers can connect to each freeway without ever leaving a carpool lane.
Demolition of the Valley View Street Bridge, is scheduled for the first part of the project on Oct. 8. The Valley View St Bridge is not to be confused with the Seventh St. Bridge. The Valley View Bridge connects Bolsa Chica Rd and Valley View St. and while it crosses over I-405, it should not impact traveling to campus.
The first phase involves several and lengthy construction projects, but the Southbound I-405 to Eastbound SR-22 connector is the only project expected to begin soon the connector is only expected to be down for two weeks.
Nighttime closures on the I-405 have occurred over the last two weeks, but several lanes stay open for night commuters.
Construction will most likely begin while school is not in session, making some drivers’ first morning commute to their spring semester classes very surprising. Students should expect to have detours and longer commutes. It is surprising news to some students.
“I had no idea that this was happening,” graduate student Jeff Baer, said.
Zlotnik recommends students sign up for the West County Connectors Facebook and Twitter accounts for updates and construction alerts at octa.net/westcounty.
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