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Community Corner

Highlights from 'Ramp Jam' Live Chat

Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky addresses commuters' questions.

Metro hosted a live web forum Friday for commuters to interact with Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky about the impending closure of the Wilshire Boulevard and 405 ramps.

"There is no way to put 'lipstick on this pig,' as the old saying goes," said Yaroslavsky in his first remarks.  Throughout the conversation, he sought to assuage fears that the major summer closures (not to be confused with ) might result in another .  Commenters asked about the project's value to the community, its completion schedule, and how to access project updates.

In response to a commenter who asked whether the project would be worth the temporary inconveniences, Yaroslavsky replied:

"Yes, I really do--especially the Wilshire/405 ramps.  This is one of the most substandard ramp configurations of any highway in America.  When this project is done, people getting on or off the 405 at Wilshire will be able to do it in a safer and less time consuming manner (watch the Wilshire Ramp Reconstruction video to see how this is done! metro.net/405). I've stopped counting the number of times I've taken my life into my hands trying to get off the 405 at Wilshire.  In addition, the HOV lane will add capacity and will complete the HOV system from Burbank Blvd in the Valley to Orange County.  I recognize that this is an incredibly disruptive project."

On the subject of project completion:

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"Yes, the project contractor is incentivized to complete the ramp reconstruction within the 90 day schedule.  There are also financial penalties if they exceed the schedule... The contractor is incentivized to finish early, so the completion date may move up.  However, for now our scheduled completion is September 20."

Addressing inquiries about how the public can keep up with the project's details:

"Project updates and details are available on the project website, metro.net/405.  The project also utilizes social media through Facebook, Twitter and Nixle.  These pages are updated at least three times a day.  The Source, Metro's blog, is also a great location for stories and updates.  My own blog, ZevWeb, also does regular stories on the 405 project.  For commuters, Go511.com and 511 are available to get live traffic updates and detour information."

Regarding the VA closing its gates to through traffic:

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"The VA has decided to close their northwest gates at Gorhman and Einsenhower for the duration of the first 90 day ramp closure.  I, and my office, have been in contact with the VA in the hope that they would reconsider this decision.  This is still a work in progress, and I hope that the VA will reconsider their decision after the project gets underway. At the end of the day this is the VA's decision to make."

To avoid confusion between this weekend's closures and those scheduled for the rest of the summer:

"Starting June 22 you will not be able to access the northbound 405 on-ramp from westbound Wilshire.  This ramp will be closed for 90 days.  You will be detoured to northbound Sepulveda to get on the 405 at the Moraga on-ramp. Construction activities are occuring this weekend that require the closure of all Wilshire on and off-ramps.  These closures are required to prepare for the demolition scheduled to start on June 22.  These closures of all Wilshire ramps are only scheduled for this weekend at night."

Read the full archived conversation here.

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