OMG 405 to be closed in July!

[brenda1966]

I think you're going to be okay getting to the long beach airport from DL.

As for the segment of 405 being closed southbound being smaller than northbound, so less of an impact -- I think that's just wishful thinking. That's 5-6 lanes of packed highway closed for 4 miles. All of those cars have to go somewhere else.

 

[spacemermaid]

Just dropping in to

Soooooo glad I'll be in CA the weekend before that, rather than when Traffic Armageddon 2011 takes place.

 

[TinkerKat]

Ok seriously worried. First I've no clue about any road in Cali and where they lead to! I'll be arriving in LAX on 16th. Staying in Manhattan beach area but wanted to do Universal on the 17th. Does that put me right in the middle of the madness? Any assistance, advice will be most appreciated!

 

[kikiq]

As for the segment of 405 being closed southbound being smaller than northbound, so less of an impact -- I think that's just wishful thinking. That's 5-6 lanes of packed highway closed for 4 miles. All of those cars have to go somewhere else.

Even though this is a relatively "short" segment of 405, it is a MAJOR and shortest way from the San Fernando Valley/Ventura to LAX/western LA. On weekends, the 101 through the "valley" is usually busy but "clears" when it gets to the 405/101 split as some folks head down 405, others to the 5 and others to the 210. With the 405 closed, then folks wanting to get to West LA/LAX will go to the 5 and the 101 will back up even more. Which is why I don't even think the 118 will be a good option as everyone in the "valley" will be taking that route to avoid the 101 back up. If you look at the LA highway system on mapquest you will see that the closure is a short segment through a pass. There is no other way other than surface streets to handle the incredible amount of cars that use that segment daily, which then moves all those cars from the 101/405 to the 5.

Start early and head to the 210 to 57 to 5 to get to Disneyland. You may be tempted to take the 605 to 5. But I will warn you from experience that in the afternoon/early evening, the 5 from 605 to Disneyland is like a parking lot. My DB calls it the "Norwalk parking lot"

So glad we live south of Disneyland.

 

[helenb]

You may be tempted to take the 605 to 5. But I will warn you from experience that in the afternoon/early evening, the 5 from 605 to Disneyland is like a parking lot. My DB calls it the "Norwalk parking lot"

I was actually looking at the 605, because it has a carpool lane. We'll be 3 people in the car. Does your advice apply if we're in the 605 carpool lane?

 

[brenda1966]

Does 2 people qualify you for carpool lane? Yes, would be interested to know if carpool lane changes any strategy.

 

[kikiq]

I was actually looking at the 605, because it has a carpool lane. We'll be 3 people in the car. Does your advice apply if we're in the 605 carpool lane?

The 605 has a carpool lane BUT when you get on the 5 from 605, there is no carpool lane. Taking the 210 to the 605 to the 405 is an alternate route to get to the 405, but the 5 south between 605 and Disneyland can be a slow go. When my DB makes the trip from Santa Clarita (5 north of LA), he takes 5 south and gets stuck in that area.

2 people will get you in the carpool lane. Another website to check if you have a smartphone is sigalert.

 

[helenb]

What about 210 to 605 to 91? That's carpool lane almost the entire way...

 

[kikiq]

What about 210 to 605 to 91? That's carpool lane almost the entire way...

A good possibility with a little caution...in SoCal, being in the carpool lane doesn't always guarantee that you bypass the traffic. On SOME occasions, the carpool lane will be stopped and the other lanes are moving faster. Honestly, I forgot about going on 91, that is a real possibility.

 

[LavenderPeach]

A good possibility with a little caution...in SoCal, being in the carpool lane doesn't always guarantee that you bypass the traffic. On SOME occasions, the carpool lane will be stopped and the other lanes are moving faster. Honestly, I forgot about going on 91, that is a real possibility.

Yes, I agree about the carpool lane sometimes being slower than the other lanes. I see this most often on the weekends because there are a lot more cars with 2+ people than during the week and everyone says "hey, we can use the carpool lane!" I usually avoid the carpool lanes on the weekends but who knows what will happen the weekend of all this 405 craziness.

If it were me I think i would go with one of the 210 routes because from my experience that freeway usually isn't as bad as some of the others (on a "regular" day) and since it's not the most direct route around the mess it might, possibly, maybe be less crowded. (maybe, lol).

 

[cyclenut]

I read on the amtrak site that luggage has to be checked in 30 minutes before boarding time or it will be "delayed". And to expect lines to check in, so in other words don't get there at exactly 30minutes prior or you might not make it if there's a line. Our luggage is not all carry on size and there are specific measurements on what can be carried on board and what needs to be checked. Public transportation and luggage checking are just so irritating. Flying is enough of a hassle, I really don't want to add a train into the mix.

I'm hoping all the locals will stay home and it will just be us crazy tourists on the roads.

I'm not sure why there is reference to "checked luggage" but it isn't anything like an airline. We had access to all of our bags the entire time during our trips, the longest of which was from Anaheim to New Mexico and from Anaheim to Washington (although that trip was a very long time ago). While I think that may have changed somewhat, the nearest thing to a checked bag is where they store your bag in a baggage car and pull it out onto the platform where you pick it up and walk down the ramp.

Nobody knows for sure what will occur with this situation as it has never been done before. Do not go anywhere near that section of the freeway. The further away you can get, the better.

I expect locals to underestimate the impact and hit the roads on their favorite alternate route. They all think they have the inside scoop. There is no easy way around this one. It amazes me how many people around here in SoCal don't seem to know about this yet.

 

[cyclenut]

Let me ask a question for those of you more familiar with the area. I realize its not close to the impacted area but do you imagine somebody travelling on the 405 from D-land area to Long Beach airport at around 3p on that Saturday will have any major issues??...well beyond the normal traffic nightmares(!)

You should not experience any issues on the freeway. You could choose to skip the freeway though and just take Katella all the way to the airport. Check it out on the map. It is a straight shot all the way there. Katella turns into Willow when it reaches Long Beach. Then you just make a right on Lakewood Blvd. That route is about 15 miles and it will take you almost 45 minutes.

You could also take Ball Rd (other side of DL from Katella) all the way over. It turns into Wardlow when you get to Long Beach. Wardlow narrows at the golf course about a block away but after you pass the golf course the road ends right at the entrance to the airport. That route is also about 15 miles and will also take you almost 45 minutes.

Google Maps shows 38 minutes for each of those routes.

The "normal" route is to take Harbor Blvd. to the 22 Fwy and take that over to the 405 and then exit at Lakewood. That route is longer by almost 4 miles but it is expected to be about 30 minutes (15 minutes less than surface streets).

15 minutes extra is not a very long time. If you want to avoid the risk altogether, take Ball Rd. Katella has some construction going on right now just West of DL and while it is smooth sailing on most weekends, you will have to navigate some interesting changes in lane locations and pavement.

I'd probably take the freeway myself. Just giving you a few alternatives.

 

[kikiq]

As someone who has no knowledge of California roads, is this going to impact my drive back to LGB from the PVI on Sat July 16? We were planning on taking the I5, but would we be better off to take W Ball road right in? Should I leave earlier than the 2.5 hours I had planned?

Thanks for all your help.

Personally, I would take surface streets and 2.5 hours should be fine. That weekend, you just want to stay off the freeways anywhere close to LA/LAX.
LGB is in Orange County, way south of this anticipated mess.

Ok seriously worried. First I've no clue about any road in Cali and where they lead to! I'll be arriving in LAX on 16th. Staying in Manhattan beach area but wanted to do Universal on the 17th. Does that put me right in the middle of the madness? Any assistance, advice will be most appreciated!

Yes! I can't imagine purposely driving into that area unless you ABSOLUTELY have to. Maybe someone who lives in that area has some advice. I live 30 minutes south of Disneyland in Orange County. I don't have any "secret" LA routes to share.

 

[brenda1966]

I'm not sure why there is reference to "checked luggage" but it isn't anything like an airline. We had access to all of our bags the entire time during our trips, .

This is from the Amtrak website:
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conte...e=am/Layout&p=1237405732517&cid=1241305472094

For passenger safety and comfort, we strictly enforce the baggage limits stated in the guidelines below.
*Carry-on baggage is limited to 28" x 22" x 11" on Pacific Surfliner trains.
†Baggage checked less than 30 minutes prior to departure may be delayed. Allow additional time at larger stations.
Check-In Time: Check all baggage at least 30 minutes prior to departure. Allow additional time at larger stations, during busy travel,

 

[cyclenut]

Ok seriously worried. First I've no clue about any road in Cali and where they lead to! I'll be arriving in LAX on 16th. Staying in Manhattan beach area but wanted to do Universal on the 17th. Does that put me right in the middle of the madness? Any assistance, advice will be most appreciated!

Not sure where exactly you will be at in Manhattan Beach, but I suggest getting yourself over to the 110 North into Universal Studios. That likely means getting yourself over to the 105 or perhaps just take Rosecrans over. I can't tell you which would be the "better" route time wise. Even then, plan for a longer than usual drive as there will be a whole lot of people doing the same thing. At least you'll be clear of the 405 and that will be essential.

Once you are on the 110 you'll have two choices. One is to take the 101 over to Universal and the other is to take the 110 up to I-5 and take that over. 101 is a more direct route.

With all of these routes the best way is to plan your primary escape route and then if you have a smartphone, use the Google traffic layer to see which one has the least amount of "red". If they are all showing red, stay on your primary route and hope for the best. If you don't have a smartphone, then consider looking it up on a computer before you leave.

 

[cyclenut]

This is from the Amtrak website:
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conte...e=am/Layout&p=1237405732517&cid=1241305472094

For passenger safety and comfort, we strictly enforce the baggage limits stated in the guidelines below.
*Carry-on baggage is limited to 28" x 22" x 11" on Pacific Surfliner trains.
†Baggage checked less than 30 minutes prior to departure may be delayed. Allow additional time at larger stations.
Check-In Time: Check all baggage at least 30 minutes prior to departure. Allow additional time at larger stations, during busy travel,

Sorry if I didn't make myself clear. I believed you when you referenced the web site. What I am saying though is that this checked baggage policy is not anything at all like the airlines (which you were complaining about). Really, I'm not trying to talk you into taking the train, just trying to dispel some of the myths about rail travel.

Whichever you choose, I'm sure you'll make the most of it!!

 

[brenda1966]

It's not like the airlines in that I'm not worried my bags will be lost, but it is like the airlines in that you have to be there early to check your bags or they may go on a later train. So, all of that unknown element -- how early to be there, how busy is the train going to be, how late might it be if the trains are very busy that weekend, etc. All of that makes the train option sound very unappealing to me.

I'm sure we'll get to DL eventually!

 

[Disney Dreams]

It's not like the airlines in that I'm not worried my bags will be lost, but it is like the airlines in that you have to be there early to check your bags or they may go on a later train. So, all of that unknown element -- how early to be there, how busy is the train going to be, how late might it be if the trains are very busy that weekend, etc. All of that makes the train option sound very unappealing to me.

I'm sure we'll get to DL eventually!

But is sitting in a car, stuck on a freeway, in massive traffic more appealing? Just my 2 cents.

- Dreams

 

[brenda1966]

But is sitting in a car, stuck on a freeway, in massive traffic more appealing? Just my 2 cents.

- Dreams

Actually, to me it is. In a car I can get off the highway and stop at an In-N-Out burger. I can get off the highway in Pasadena and stop by some friends house. So, I think as long as our expectations are set appropriately that we will require a lot of extra time in slow moving traffic, we'll do fine. I just hope the traffic is moving, at least a little.

 

[Mkrop]

Is this the only weekend where there will be closures? We are traveling from DL to Monetery 7/30 to 8/1. If there are more closures, is there a schedule?

Thanks