Final Segment Of N. Santa Monica Boulevard Construction Begins

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The final segment of the construction on North Santa Monica Boulevard is beginning, and workers began dismantling the south part of the roadway between Alpine and Doheny drives this week. Construction on the final segment will be completed in phases, similar to the approach used during the two previous segments, according to the City of Beverly Hills press release.

Until the end of December, four lanes of traffic (two in each direction) will be open. During this time curbs and gutters will be replaced and bioswales and raised crosswalks will be built. Starting at the end of December and after the holiday season has ended, the road will be demolished and rebuilt, requiring lane closures and detours – a detour plan similar to the two-lane phase of Segments 1 and 2 will be implemented at that time.

The work and road closures have been scheduled in order to shorten the overall duration of construction, which is now scheduled to be finished in the spring of 2018. The previous schedule was for a completion date in July 2018.

According to the City of Beverly Hills, this is what will be affected:

• Bus Stops - Buses will continue to travel westbound on N. Santa Monica Blvd with stops at Cañon and Camden Drives and Wilshire Boulevard. Buses travelling eastbound will be diverted onto S. Santa Monica Boulevard in Century City. Buses will stop just west of Charleville Blvd and continue on S. Santa Monica Boulevard with stops west of Camden Drive and west of Crescent Drive. The eastbound buses will return to N. Santa Monica Boulevard by way of Doheny Drive.
• Turn Restrictions – Left turns are restricted during the construction of this segment. In order to limit vehicles diverting into residential neighborhoods, traffic will be monitored and right turns restrictions could be implemented if necessary.
• Intersection Work - Reconstruction of the intersections and construction of raised crosswalks. While this work is underway, intersections will be closed intermittently to both north and south traffic. Notice will be provided ahead of time.
• Turn Restrictions – Left turns are restricted during the construction of this segment. In order to limit vehicles diverting into residential neighborhoods, traffic will be monitored and right turns restrictions could be implemented if necessary.
• Raised Crosswalks - Raised crosswalks will be built at unlighted intersections on the north side of N. Santa Monica Boulevard (Linden, Alpine, Foothill, Elm, Maple, Hillcrest, Arden, Alto and Sierra drives). These striped, high-visibility crosswalks will connect the Beverly Gardens Park jogging/walking path where it pauses at the intersections. The crosswalks will be constructed at the same level as the curbs, allowing for a safe transition for pedestrians.

The website will be updated continually and residents and businesses can sign up to receive emailed notifications through Ask Bev or stay in touch via www.Facebook.com/CityofBeverlyhills and www.Twitter.com/CityofBevHills. In addition, the City can be reached via email smblvd@beverlyhills.org, the project helpline (424) 339-9033 or the Public Works Customer Service line (310) 285-2467.

Once completed, improvements to N. Santa Monica Boulevard will include:

• Rebuilt roadway with a rubberized asphalt surface to provide a smoother and quieter ride
• Upgraded drainage system
• New curbs and gutters
• Widening of the road on the south side between Cañon Drive and Wilshire Boulevard
• A standardized street-lighting system along the north side
• ADA compliant access upgrades
• New sidewalks
• Low impact drainage landscaping (grass swales) that comply with the urban water quality regulations
• Landscaping on the south side of the boulevard