Over 120 Porter Ranch Stakeholders joined the Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council Meeting on September 14, 2022 in pursuit of answers to the question of what is going on with the closed Reseda off ramp from the westbound 118. Caltrans was on hand to explain why the off ramp was closed and what the plan was to reopen it. Present from Caltrans were Eric Menjivar the Caltrans PIO, Maria Raptis of Government Legislative Affairs, Ivan Chu Project Manager, Efraim Chavez Resident Engineer of the Project, Godson Ochavechi, Deputy District Dirctor of Maintenance Division.
Caltrans explained that the source of the closure was the collapse of lanes two and three of the offramp caused by a broken connection at the storm drain manhole on Rinaldi. The broken connection is 25' underground. The drainpipe that is underneath the off ramp has also collapsed.
View of the off ramp:
Drawing of the drainage system showing the broken connection under Rinaldi and the collapsed pipe more than 18' below the ramp:
Caltrans plans to replace the failed 78" diameter metal drainage pipe with a reinforced concrete pipe starting in early October to finish by the end of the year.
The list of work:
The delay to date was the result of the required permit to perform street repair on Rinaldi and approvals needed from Caltrans and the City.
Many stakeholders had questions and comments. Concerns included:
- Will the replacement pipe hold up in an earthquake?
- Negative impact to traffic during the holidays
- How is it possible in 2022 that the ramp has been closed for at least four months and we are just now getting an update?
- Lanes on the ramp were closed for some time before the whole ramp was closed; mitigation should have begun long before.
- This exit is the source of many accidents. Can the lanes be better marked on the pavement and with overhead signage so people know well in advance which lane to be in? Can there be cones or bollards to force right two lanes to turn right?
- Light signalization on Rinaldi has not been updated based on the change in traffic with the closure
- Can the brush at this exit be cleaned up.
For futher questions please contact eric.menjivar [at] dot.ca.gov
This topic begins on the below video at about minute 56.
Caltrans-2022-0914-Reseda-Offramp-Presentation.pdf
