Overnight closures for 60, 5 and 405 freeways
The California Department of Transportation on Sunday announced plans to again close the 60 Freeway overnight near Montebello to finish demolishing the Paramount Boulevard overpass damaged by the massive tanker fire there last week.
Caltrans also plans nightly lane closures on the 5 and 405 freeways for scheduled repairs and maintenance over the next few weeks, likely to inflict scattered traffic snarls during the busy holiday season.
All westbound lanes of the 60, the Pomona Freeway, between the 605 interchange and the 710 will be shut down from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. three consecutive nights beginning Sunday, Caltrans said.
A tanker truck filled with thousands of gallons of gasoline exploded on the 60 Wednesday afternoon, damaging the roadway and overpass and shutting down the east-west corridor that is one of the busiest in the nation. Eastside and Inland Empire drivers likened the ensuing traffic chaos to "Carmageddon," the planned 405 Freeway closure in May.
PHOTOS: Fiery crash on the 60 Freeway
In other traffic disruptions, the northbound 405 around Seal Beach will be blocked each weeknight from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. for scheduled maintenance. The southbound lanes of the 405 won't be affected, but will be closed for their own repairs in mid-January, according to Caltrans.
Ongoing work to widen the 5 Freeway through the San Fernando Valley will also prompt nightly closure of all but one lane in each direction from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Caltrans has not yet said whether work schedules will change during the Christmas and New Year's weekends.
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-- Carol J. Williams
Photo: Excavators dismantle the Paramount Boulevard overpass on the 60 Freeway on Thursday night. Credit: Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times
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