Metro and Caltrans released the draft environmental report for the I-405 Sepulveda Pass ExpressLanes project on Nov. 13. The public can comment through Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2027, online, by email, by phone or by mail.
The draft covers 10 miles of the 405 between the I-10 and US-101. It compares four alternatives, from keeping the existing roadway to adding new carpool lanes or ExpressLanes. Metro says multi-lane ExpressLanes would bring the biggest gains in speed and travel-time reliability.
What the I-405 Sepulveda Pass ExpressLanes draft studies
The pass carries about 300,000 vehicles every weekday, according to Metro. The Santa Monica Mountains create a natural bottleneck. Metro says commuters lost an average of 56 hours a year to delay in 2019. During peak hours, carpool lane speeds average under 45 mph, which Caltrans classifies as degraded.
ExpressLanes already operate on the I-10 and I-110, and crews are building them on the I-105. However, Metro says each project has its own schedule, review and public input. This study also runs alongside the separate Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project, which we covered in our report on the scoping meetings.
How to comment and attend a hearing
Metro will hold hearings and listening sessions during the comment period:
- Virtual hearing: Tuesday, Dec. 1, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (link: bit.ly/405ExpressLanesPublicHearing).
- San Fernando Valley hearing: Wednesday, Dec. 2, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., East Valley Adult Center, 5056 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks.
- Westside hearing: Tuesday, Jan. 12, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Westwood United Methodist Church, 10497 Wilshire Blvd.
- Santa Clarita Valley session: Saturday, Jan. 9, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Old Town Newhall Farmers Market and Library Community Room, 24500 Main St.
- San Fernando Valley session: Sunday, Jan. 10, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., ONEGeneration Encino Farmers Market, 17400 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys.
- South Bay session: Wednesday, Jan. 13, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Hawthorne Library, 12700 Grevillea Ave.
You can read the documents and comment on the project page at metro.net/405expresslanes. Email comments go to 405expresslanes@metro.net with the subject line “I-405 ExpressLanes Project”. The phone hotline is 213.922.4860. Mailed comments go to Anna Johnson, Caltrans District 7, 100 South Main Street, MS16A, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
What happens next
This draft is not a final decision. After the comment period, Metro and Caltrans will respond to every comment. They will then release a final report naming a preferred alternative in fall 2027. Measure M, the county sales tax voters approved in 2016, partly funds the project.
For more local transportation news, see our Los Angeles and California guide. Read Metro’s full announcement in its news release.