Caltrans Work Will Close Lanes of 405 Freeway in Costa Mesa

Drivers on a stretch of the San Diego Freeway in Costa Mesa will have to squeeze through on fewer lanes over the next 10 weekends, as Caltrans crews repave the bridge at the Santa Ana River. Several northbound lanes will be temporarily shut beginning at 9 p.m. tonight.

The lane closures, which will allow workers to repave two lanes at a time, will be just north of the Harbor Boulevard exit.

The work will take place between 9 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. Saturdays, then resume Saturday at 9 p.m. and end at 10 a.m. Sundays.

Work will continue on the southbound lanes once the northbound side is completed. Construction will be suspended over the Fourth of July weekend.

Caltrans said repaving is necessary to “maintain a smooth riding surface after years of use.”

At least one lane will be open at all times, Caltrans officials said. Last fall, a San Diego Freeway repaving operation on a two-mile stretch through Fountain Valley left thousands of weekend travelers stuck for hours when road officials elected to keep lanes under construction closed at all times.

Caltrans later apologized for the decision.

In a written release, local Caltrans officials said they “will make every effort to minimize inconvenience to motorists, residents, and businesses.”

Caltrans officials urge motorists to slow down in the construction zone.

Portable message signs are in place now to alert drivers.