A large construction undertaking on the I-405 is scheduled  to take place over July 16-17, which has been aptly nicknamed Carmageddon.   The construction undertaking is part of the  $1 Billion initiative to improve the I-405.   This part entails the demolition of the Southside half of the Mulholland  Bridge so that it can be rebuilt to the latest seismic standards, and wider,  about 10 ft to add a lane for high occupancy vehicles.  The nickname Carmageddon is rightfully fit  because the Sepulveda Pass of the I-405 will be completely shut down for a 53  hour window.  The closures will begin as  early as 7 p.m. on Friday with ramps being closed, then about 10 p.m.  the closure of freeway lanes will begin, and  finally a complete shut down by midnight.   The closure will continue till 5 a.m. on Monday morning with freeway  lanes being opened up, and the ramps will reopen by 6 a.m.  After the closure the reconstruction on the  bridge will commence with expected 11 month duration.  There will be one lane of traffic in each  direction during the reconstruction.

The closure extends about 10 miles on the northbound closure  between I-10 and U.S. 101.  The Southbound  will only be closed for about 4 miles, between U.S. 101 and Getty Center  Drive.  There are several regional  freeways that can be used to completely bypass the Sepulveda Pass and they  are:  5, 15, 23, 55, 57, 101, 118, 126,  210, 605, and 710 freeways.  Check the Metro's website for addional routes.  Sepulveda  Blvd will be open for local only; all others are to use other regional  freeways.  Delays Sepulveda Blvd is an  alt route for local resident access only and will not have the capacity to  accommodate both local and diverted traffic.   Traffic congestion is expected to be severe with lengthy delays  (Multi-hour delays).  Motorists,  including truckers, and Orange County moving companies are asked to avoid the  area if possible.