Early morning commuters on the 405 Freeway through Sherman Oaks were met with unexpected delays after a section of the roadway lifted near the 101 Freeway intersection, prompting an urgent repair response from Caltrans crews. The California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert just after 5 a.m., recommending motorists seek alternative routes due to congestion that quickly backed up to the 118 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley, as reported by KTLA.
Details surrounding the cause of the damage remain uncertain; however, it was captured that damaged concrete on the freeway led to a minor crash just north of the 101 Freeway around 4:35 a.m., per the California Highway Patrol's report. While there were no injuries, the incident resulted in large potholes across two right lanes between the 101 and Skirball Center Drive, leading to a stop-and-go traffic situation that extended five miles up to Nordhoff Street in North Hills, according to information obtained by City News Service.
The plight of the morning commute was further exacerbated as aerial imagery from SkyFOX depicted an extensive trail of halted vehicles stretching for miles. Drivers were encouraged to leave early as two southbound lanes remained shut near the crash site on the 405 Freeway at Skirball Center Drive, contributing to the significant slowdown along the Sepulveda Pass. The prolonged traffic congestion highlighted the vulnerability of Los Angeles’ arterial roads to unexpected incidents, a sentiment echoed by the distress expressed by motorists caught in the gridlock. Aerial views of the backup were shared by FOX LA.
While Caltrans and the CHP worked diligently to address the roadway's structural compromise, it remained unclear as to when the lanes would reopen, leaving commuters to wonder about the duration of their disrupted travels. Repairs were underway, but the CHP did not provide a specific timeline for completion, with only the assurance that efforts were being made to restore the flow of traffic as swiftly as possible. Motorists are advised to continue checking in for updates as the situation develops, with the latest news provided by local news stations and traffic updates.
