Quick Read
- Caltrans will reduce I-405 to three lanes in each direction near Bel Air for two weekends in December 2025.
- Closures affect Getty Center Drive/Sepulveda Boulevard and Skirball Center Drive/Mulholland Drive ramps.
- Suggested detours involve Sepulveda Boulevard, Skirball Center Drive, Church Lane, and Sunset Boulevard on-ramps.
- Closures are part of a $143.7 million pavement rehabilitation project between Van Nuys and Westwood.
- Residents and businesses near Bel Air should expect noise, dust, and heavier local traffic.
Bel Air Faces Disruptions as Caltrans Launches I-405 Lane Closures
For the thousands who commute along Interstate 405, the pulse of Los Angeles’ west side, December brings a familiar but unwelcome refrain: construction, detours, and delays. This year, the story carries particular weight for Bel Air residents, as Caltrans advances its sweeping pavement rehabilitation project through the Sepulveda Pass.
What’s Happening: Weekend-Long Lane Reductions
Caltrans, the state transportation agency, has announced two extended weekend closures that will reduce the I-405 to just three lanes in each direction as it passes through the Sepulveda Pass — a stretch that directly borders Bel Air. The first closure runs from 10 p.m. Friday, December 5, through 5 a.m. Monday, December 8. The second, initially slated for mid-month, has been pushed to December 19–22.
What does this mean for drivers? Expect delays. With the usual multi-lane flow constricted, traffic will funnel into a narrow corridor, and congestion is likely to spill over into surrounding neighborhoods.
Key Details: Closures and Detours Affecting Bel Air
The northbound I-405 will be reduced to three lanes from just south of the Getty Center Drive/Sepulveda Boulevard off-ramp to just north of Bel Air Crest Road. The Getty Center Drive/Sepulveda Boulevard off-ramp will be completely closed during this period.
For those heading south, the I-405 will shrink to three lanes from the Skirball Center Drive/Mulholland Drive on-ramp to the Getty Center Drive/Sepulveda Boulevard on-ramp. Not only will the Getty Center Drive/Sepulveda Boulevard on- and off-ramps be closed, but the Skirball Center Drive/Mulholland Drive on-ramp will also be unavailable.
Caltrans has published suggested detours to help drivers navigate the closures:
- For northbound I-405: Use Sepulveda Boulevard north, then east or north on Skirball Center Drive to reach the northbound on-ramp.
- For southbound I-405: Take Sepulveda Boulevard south, then continue on Church Lane to the Sunset Boulevard on-ramp.
These detours may seem straightforward on paper, but anyone who’s navigated the Westside during a freeway closure knows that local roads can quickly become jammed. Residents of Bel Air and adjacent neighborhoods should brace for heavier traffic on familiar streets, especially during the closure weekends.
Why the Disruption? The Broader Rehabilitation Effort
The closures are just a piece of a much larger puzzle. Caltrans is in the midst of a $143.7 million pavement rehabilitation project stretching from Van Nuys to Westwood. The goal? To improve safety, mobility, and the durability of the highway — a lifeline for both daily commuters and long-distance travelers. According to Caltrans, roughly 25 extended closures are planned over the course of the multi-phase project, with similar lane reductions recurring about every two weeks.
Schedules, the agency notes, remain flexible. Weather or unexpected operational needs could alter the timing or scope of closures. For those living and working in Bel Air, that means staying alert and checking updates regularly.
Community Impact: Noise, Dust, and the Human Toll
While the endgame is smoother, safer roads, the immediate reality is less comfortable. Caltrans has warned that nearby residents and businesses may experience increased noise, dust, and even vibrations as heavy machinery rumbles through the corridor. For some, these are minor inconveniences; for others — particularly those who work from home or run small businesses along affected routes — the impact is more acute.
Beyond the dust and din, there’s the frustration of delay: parents racing to after-school pickups, delivery drivers recalibrating routes, emergency vehicles negotiating congestion. The ripple effects of a major freeway closure in Los Angeles are never confined to the highway itself.
How to Stay Ahead: Resources and Advice
Caltrans encourages all motorists to check the Caltrans QuickMap before setting out, which provides real-time updates on closures, traffic conditions, and detour routes. The agency’s repeated refrain — “Be Work Zone Alert” and “Slow for the Cone Zone” — is more than a slogan. With construction workers present and lanes narrowed, safety risks rise for everyone.
Residents are also encouraged to consider alternate transportation, including public transit, or to shift travel times where possible to avoid peak congestion. For those living in the immediate vicinity, patience and preparation will be key.
Looking Forward: A Roadway in Transition
Los Angeles is a city built around its freeways, and the I-405 is one of its busiest arteries. Each closure, each detour, is a reminder of the city’s ongoing struggle to maintain and improve the infrastructure that underpins daily life. For Bel Air, December will bring both inconvenience and the promise of long-term improvement — a test of patience in the name of progress.
As Caltrans continues its work, residents and commuters alike will need to adapt. The challenge, as always, lies in balancing short-term disruption with the broader benefit of a safer, more resilient roadway.
While the December closures will undoubtedly challenge Bel Air’s daily rhythms, the scale and necessity of the I-405 rehabilitation effort are clear. The city’s infrastructure demands regular, significant investment, and the temporary discomfort faced by commuters and residents is ultimately in service of a safer, more efficient future for the entire region.