101 Freeway to be Closed for Forty Hours From Feb. 5 – Feb. 7

LOS ANGELES (January 21, 2016) — The City of Los Angeles’ Bureau of Engineering announced today that the final closure of the Sixth Street Viaduct is scheduled to take place early Wednesday January 27^th.  The Sixth Street Viaduct will be closed from Mateo Street on the west and Boyle Avenue on the east to allow for demolition of the existing viaduct and construction of the new viaduct.  Detour signage will be in place to assist the public in finding alternate routes around the construction closure.

The 84-year old Sixth Street Viaduct suffers from a chemical deterioration of the bridge’s concrete and needs to be replaced.  Demolition is expected to take nine months and construction of the new viaduct will be completed in late 2019.

40-Hour Closure of 101 Freeway

To allow for demolition of the section of the viaduct over US Rte 101 on the east side of the structure, the freeway will be closed for 40 hours, starting on Friday Feb. 5^th at 10 p.m. and ending on Sunday Feb. 7^th at 2 p.m.

“My main priorities are keeping Angelenos safe and doing everything possible to minimize inconveniences or confusion that may be caused by the closure,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “We will do that by ensuring that detours are clearly marked, and working closely with LAPD and LAFD to maintain the highest standards of police and fire response throughout the weekend.”

A 2.5 mile section of US Rte 101 will be closed from the 10/101 split to the 5/10/101 interchange just east of downtown Los Angeles. In addition, motorists travelling west on Rte 60 from the Pomona area will not be able to access US Rte 101.

“We are encouraging drivers to plan ahead, expect delays and to follow detour signs to alternate freeways,” said Carrie Bowen, Caltrans District 7 Director. “It’s important for motorists to Be Work Zone Alert and to Slow for the Cone Zone.”

Councilmember Jose Huizar (CD-14) represents the communities closest to the viaduct.

“During the 40-hour freeway closure we encourage local residents of Boyle Heights and Downtown Los Angeles to plan accordingly,” said Councilmember Jose Huizar (CD-14). “As we say goodbye to our old 6th Street Bridge before welcoming in our new bridge and public space, this is a necessary step to ensure the public’s safety and begin the work at hand.”

The Sixth Street Viaduct Replacement Project is led by the City’s Bureau of Engineering.

“Safety is always first in all the work we do in the City,” said Gary Lee Moore, City Engineer. “Closing the freeway will allow us to do demolition in the way that is safest for motorists and everyone else in that area of the city.”

Traffic detours will be as follows – SEE DETOUR MAP BELOW

When traveling N/B 5 from the Orange County area approaching the 5/10/101 Interchange : Exit to N/B 101 closed

–        Exit to W/B 10 open

–        Exit to N/B 5 open

Primary Detour: N/B 710 to W/B 10

Secondary Detour: W/B 10 to N/B 110

When traveling W/B 60 from the Pomona area approaching 5/10/101 Interchange:  

–        Exit to N/B 101 closed

–        Exit to W/B 10 open

–        Exit to N/B 5 open

Primary Detour: N/B 710 to W/B 10

Secondary Detour: W/B 10 to N/B 110

When traveling S/B 101 from the San Fernando Valley area approaching the 10/101 Split:

–        Exit to S/B 101 closed

–        E/B 10 open

Primary Detour: S/B 110 to E/B 10

Secondary Detour: E/B 10 to S/B 710

101 Freeway On-Ramp closures will be as follows:

NB 6^th Street/ Whittier Blvd on-ramp CLOSED

NB Euclid Street on-ramp CLOSED

NB Soto Street to 101 Freeway CLOSED

SB Commercial Street on-ramp CLOSED

SB Mission Street on-ramp CLOSED

SB 4^th Street on-ramp CLOSED