Starting from Monday, construction on the 605 Freeway will lead to a week's worth of overnight closures on both sides. This is set to cause significant disruptions for early-morning commuters and potentially result in a traffic nightmare. The closures began on Monday evening and will continue through the morning each day until Saturday, December 7.

Project Details and Closure Schedule

According to the California Department of Transportation, the scheduled construction encompasses various activities such as concrete work, asphalt paving, k-rail placement, striping, guardrail work, sign removal, and drainage work. The closures are subject to change if weather conditions do not permit the work to be completed. The full schedule is as follows:On Monday, December 2 through Thursday, December 5, the northbound I-605 between Del Amo Boulevard and I-105 will be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., and the southbound I-605 from I-105 to north of Katella Avenue will also be closed during the same time. In each instance, up to three lanes will be closed.From Monday, December 2 through Friday, December 6, both directions of the I-605 between I-10 and Telegraph Road will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., with up to four lanes being closed.All corresponding on- and off-ramps will be closed sequentially as the work progresses, and no two consecutive ramps will be closed at the same time. Caltrans officials have urged people to use detours, which include either I-710 or I-5, and have installed signs to guide drivers.There will also be a number of lane and ramp closures through the slated closures, lasting through Saturday evening. These closures include (between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.):Northbound and southbound I-605 up to two lanes scheduled to be closed from I-10 to I-210.The eastbound I-10 connector to northbound I-605 scheduled to be closed.The westbound I-10 connector to northbound and southbound I-605 closed.The Mount Olive Drive off-ramp from eastbound I-210 scheduled to be closed.The Mount Olive Drive off-ramp from eastbound I-210 scheduled to be closed again (repeated for emphasis).The northbound I-605 connector to westbound I-210 scheduled to be closed.The Ramona Boulevard, Lower Azusa Road, and Live Oak Avenue off-ramps from northbound I-605 scheduled to be closed.The Ramona Boulevard, Lower Azusa Road, Arrow Highway, and Huntington Drive on-ramps to northbound I-605 scheduled to be closed.The Ramona Boulevard, Lower Azusa Road, and Arrow Highway off-ramps from southbound I-605 scheduled to be closed.

Project Background and Funding

The construction is a part of the “Super 605” corridor project, which aims to rehabilitate the freeway from Long Beach to the San Gabriel Valley. A total of $250 million in construction costs is funded. Of this, $238 million comes from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and more than $20.6 million is from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

Impact on Commuters and Alternate Routes

These closures will have a substantial impact on commuters, especially those traveling during the early morning hours. The traffic disruptions are expected to cause delays and congestion not only on the 605 Freeway but also in the surrounding areas. Caltrans officials have emphasized the importance of using detour routes such as I-710 or I-5 to minimize the impact on their daily commutes. The installation of signs to guide drivers is a helpful measure in ensuring a smoother transition through the construction zones.

Comparison with Other Freeway Closures

This is not the only major freeway closure going into effect on Monday. A major portion of SR-91 is also scheduled to undergo weeks worth of overnight closures for a different project in Riverside County. This highlights the significance of these construction activities and the need for commuters to plan their routes carefully and allow extra time for their journeys.