101 Freeway To Shut Down For 12 Hours

ENCINO, CA — Getting across the San Fernando Valley will be more painful than usual Saturday and Sunday thanks to bridge demolition that will shut down a mile-long stretch of the Ventura (101) Freeway.

Caltrans workers will demolish a pedestrian bridge in Encino, prompting a full freeway closure in both directions from 10 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday. Drivers are advised to avoid the area.

The closure is scheduled along a stretch freeway from White Oak Avenue to Balboa Boulevard.

Caltrans workers are removing the pedestrian bridge over the freeway at Encino Avenue with no plans to replace it.

According to Caltrans, the bridge did not meet currents height standards. In recent years, taller vehicles have hit the overpass, a Caltrans spokeswoman said. The pricetag for the bridge removal is $6.1 million.

Additionally, several freeway ramps will close overnight.

The following ramps will also be closed overnight:

-- Reseda Boulevard on-ramp to southbound 101;

-- White Oak Avenue on-ramp to southbound 101;

-- Balboa Boulevard on-ramp to northbound 101;

-- On-ramp from Haskell Avenue to northbound 101;

-- Connector from southbound 405 Freeway to northbound 101; and

-- Connector from northbound 405 Freeway to northbound 101.

City News Service contributed to this report.