Interchange for Ventura Freeway OKd
The Los Angeles City Council has voted unanimously to approve a plan for a Ventura Freeway interchange near the border of Los Angeles and Calabasas.
The plan, which was developed by state transportation officials, involves building two ramps near the 145-year-old Leonis Adobe and reconstructing the Valley Circle Boulevard-Mulholland Drive overpass that connects Ventura Boulevard and Calabasas Road.
The plan is a modified version of an earlier proposal that generated opposition from neighbors who feared the interchange would attract a flood of new traffic in the area.
The original design called for six on-ramps, rebuilding the heavily used Valley Circle bridge and constructing a second overpass or flyover bridge to extend Ventura Boulevard south of the freeway.
The new plan scales back plans to extend Ventura Boulevard south of the freeway and eliminates four of the on-ramps.
The state asked the council Tuesday to give the plan its blessing so that the state could begin purchasing the right of way. Construction should start within 12 months, Caltrans officials said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
