Burbank Boulevard bridge closure goes ‘very smoothly,’ Caltrans says
The closure of the Burbank Boulevard bridge went smoothly this past weekend, transportation officials said on Monday.
Caltrans closed the bridge to all bicycle, pedestrian and vehicular traffic on Saturday, and it will remain closed indefinitely as construction crews prepare to demolish the bridge in late April.
“From the perspective of Caltrans, and also based on what the Burbank Police Department and our other partners in this operation told Caltrans, we can say that it went very smoothly,” Caltrans spokesman Michael Comeaux said in an email on Monday.
Despite setbacks due to rain earlier this month, the demolition of the overpass is still scheduled for April 25. The 5 Freeway will be closed during that time in both directions for 36 hours and is expected to reopen by 2 a.m. on April 27, barring any issues, according to Caltrans officials.
Motorists have several options to get to and from downtown Burbank to other parts of the city. The Magnolia Boulevard and Olive Avenue bridges will still be available, as well as the recently completed Empire interchange underpass.
Comeaux said construction crews were at the site on Monday to adjust the location of the sign notifying motorists of the closure, specifically near the intersection of Burbank and San Fernando boulevards.
Aside from preparing the bridge for demolition, Caltrans crews are constructing a temporary off-ramp from the southbound 5 Freeway to westbound Burbank Boulevard, and it is expected to be completed and open before June, Comeaux said.
The Burbank bridge is being demolished to allow Caltrans to widen the interstate — adding one carpool lane in each direction.
The new overpass, which officials expect to be completed in the summer of 2021, is planned to be longer and wider, with a total of 10 travel lanes.
