Special meeting to discuss 405/101 connector improvement project

The Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council will hold a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, to discuss proposed improvements to the interchange of the San Diego Freeway (I-405) and the Ventura Freeway (U.S. 101).

Caltrans has stated the purpose of the project is to improve safety, operation, capacity and traffic flow.

Plans call to replace the existing connector from the southbound I-405 to the westbound U.S. 101 with an upgraded connector consisting of a new two-lane, 50-mph bridge, spanning over the spillway of the Sepulveda Dam.

Four different proposals are being considered by Caltrans.

One of the proposals would result in traffic from Burbank Boulevard losing access to both directions of U.S. 101.

Two of the proposals would result in construction of a loop on-ramp from Burbank Boulevard that would encroach onto the Sepulveda Dam Basin Wildlife Refuge.

Caltrans is accepting written comments regarding this project from the public through May 28.

Public comments will be accepted at the June 21 meeting. Residents are asked to fill out a "speaker card" to address the Neighborhood Council Board.

For more information, visit www.lakebalboanc.org.