Caltrans project set to start on 101 Fwy from Calabasas to Studio City

ENCINO, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Caltrans is gearing up for a 24-mile asphalt repaving project on the 101 Freeway, stretching from Las Virgenes Road in Calabasas to the 170/134 interchange in Studio City. New guardrails will also be installed.

"The crews are going to go through, grind away the old pavement and place new pavement right behind that," Caltrans spokesman Patrick Chandler said.

The project has a $62 million price tag. According to Caltrans, the road maintenance needs to be done but the highway is not in terrible condition.

"It's still ride-able, it may be a little bumpy in some sections, or some sections are still smooth, but we want to make sure we can maintain a good level of ride-ability, a smooth ride and also to enhance the safety on the highway," Chandler said.

Signs are already posted advising drivers of the project scheduled to begin Monday night. The project will not be completed until next fall.

Caltrans plans to have crews doing the work during overnight hours, and it's not expecting any daytime closures. Still, a reminder for drivers: fines will be doubled within the cone zone.

"At nighttime, we expect the numbers to be a lot lower, but still people in L.A. probably have come across those late-night closures, so the best thing to do is maybe try to avoid the area or give yourself some more time," Chandler said.