210 Freeway ramps set for closure, repaving

La Cañada Flintridge residents tired of dodging potholes on their commutes soon will get relief, as Caltrans will resurface all of the Foothill (210) Freeway’s on- and off-ramps in the city this fall.

Caltrans spokeswoman Judy Gish said the repaving project is scheduled to begin in mid-October and should take about three months to complete.

All of the pavement in the agency’s purview is regularly monitored to make sure it is in good condition or is flagged for repair, Gish said. While she has no rating for the quality of local ramps and could not pinpoint the last time they were resurfaced, Gish said “the current condition [of the ramps] is they are ready for resurfacing.”

Caltrans engineer Debbie Wong said the agency will resurface ramps for the 210 in Pasadena and Glendale as part of the same project. Wong said the resurfacing is a temporary measure designed to maintain the roads in advance of a larger 210 rehabilitation project that is in the planning stages.

Commuters pausing at local coffee shops this week said that the Berkshire and Gould Avenue ramps are a bit rocky, but that conditions in La Cañada are not terrible.

Daniel Ortiz of Glendale said he comes to La Cañada Flintridge several times a week.

“I know cities are having budget issues, and potholes are a big problem, but probably not the biggest one,” Ortiz said during a visit to Zeli Coffee Bar.

Caltrans contractor C.A. Rasmussen will do the work between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., Gish said. The contractor will grind and repave a single ramp during each night’s work, so that closure time will be minimized. Consecutive ramps will not be closed at the same time to reduce inconvenience to drivers, she said.

City Engineer Ying Kwan said La Cañada is coordinating with Caltrans on the work.

“If the complaints come through us, we forward them to Caltrans,” he said. “If it impacts the city right of way, then we get involved.”

For more information on the project, visit www.lacanadaflintridge.com.