Construction to Close Lanes on Ventura Freeway Again

Sections of the Ventura Freeway will be reduced from three lanes to one at times this weekend while the state Department of Transportation continues to widen and revamp the freeway.

This weekend, Caltrans is pouring concrete for the bridge approach slabs at Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Shoup Avenue, where the freeway crosses over city streets.

From 11 p.m Friday until noon Saturday, three lanes will be closed and one lane will be open on the westbound freeway from Canoga Avenue to Shoup and on the eastbound freeway from Fallbrook Avenue to Topanga Canyon. During this time, the westbound Topanga Canyon north and south off-ramps and the eastbound Ventura Boulevard on-ramp will also be closed.

Saturday Morning

On Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., the eastbound Topanga Canyon on-ramp leading from northbound Topanga Canyon Boulevard will be closed.

From 11 p.m. Saturday to noon Sunday, three lanes will be closed and one open on the westbound freeway from Canoga to Shoup. All eastbound lanes will be open. The westbound Topanga Canyon north and south off-ramps and the westbound Shoup off-ramp will be closed.

To avoid the construction area, motorists heading west should exit at De Soto Avenue, take Ventura Boulevard, and reenter the freeway at Valley Circle Boulevard, said Margaret Blum, a Caltrans spokeswoman.

Eastbound drivers may use a local access route that is marked with signs. The route requires drivers to exit at Ventura/Warner Center (formerly the Parkway Calabasas exit), turn left and cross over the freeway, then take Frontage Road, which leads to Ventura Boulevard. They then can get on the freeway at De Soto.

Caltrans Suggestions

However, Blum said Caltrans suggests that motorists avoid the freeway during the construction hours and use city streets to get to local destinations.

Officers will be posted on nearby city streets to direct traffic Saturday and Sunday morning, Blum said. Motorists may call a 24-hour toll-free hot line, 1-800-CALL-VIP, for recorded information on the freeway closures.

Crews will be working in the same area during the next three weekends, which will again require lane closures on the freeway on weekend nights and mornings, Blum said. The work is part of the Ventura Improvement Project, Caltrans’ 16-month project to widen and repair the Ventura Freeway from Calabasas to the Hollywood Freeway.