The Seventh Street Bridge westbound will close for one year beginning April 18 to link carpool lanes on the Garden Grove Freeway, the San Diego Freeway and the San Gabriel Freeway.
According to Joel Zlotnik, manager of media relations for the Orange County Transportation Authority, the project will also add a second carpool lane to the I-405 between the SR-22 and the I-605. The construction is meant to improve driving conditions and safety.
“This project will enhance safety and help reduce congestion on the freeways by eliminating the need for drivers to weave in and out of carpool lanes to transition between freeways,” Zlotnik said.
During the construction, four detours will be available, all leading to Seventh Street from the I-405.
The project is set for completion in 12 months. However, Zlotnik said there are monetary incentives to finish the project earlier, and penalties if completion takes longer than expected.
Many students at Cal State Long Beach use the bridge to commute to and from school and work.
Junior business major Jimmy Pederson said he understands that it needs to be done, but he is unhappy about it.
“It is an inconvenience,” he said. “I drive that way to work most of the week and it is going to take me longer to get home now.”
Sophomore industrial design major Michael Bemis said he understands it will eventually be a good thing.
“I guess in the long term it’s good, but it sucks for a whole year,” he said.
He also said he thought adding a regular lane would be more beneficial than adding another carpool lane.
Maps and details of the closures and detours can be found online at octa.net/westcounty.
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