How a freeway is cut down to size
Many steps are required before the new section of the I-405 can be attached to the current section. One early step, for example, cuts the freeway’s road surface to a depth of 18 inches to create a clean, horizontal joint, forming a more controlled edge than possible by breaking out the concrete. This surface is removed and replaced, ensuring the new and current sections are closely aligned.
In these photos, the concrete saw cuts a straight line through the freeway’s surface during night work. These photos were taken south of Getty Center Dr on March 5, 2010.
Workers vacuum water and concrete residue resulting from the saw-cut process. Because the saw generates so much heat as it cuts the concrete, water is used to cool the blade. The water and residue concrete, called slurry, is gathered, stored and disposed of later. Because of environmental regulations, the slurry is not allowed to flow into storm water channels.
The workers are wearing red helmets to indicate they are new on the jobsite. The red helmets make it easier for supervisors to keep an eye on the new workers, who wear these helmets for their first month on the job.
|
Concrete dust rises beside the saw blade. Cooling water combines to create a cloud and keeps the dust from blowing beyond the worksite.
|
The saw operator checks that the saw blade remains in correct alignment. Saw-cutting proceeds in steps, with the first cut being made by the smallest blade. The operation ends with the cut being made by the 18-inch radius saw.
|
Ned Racine
Keywords:
I-405
Last Revised:
Friday February 17, 2012
Stay Connected
Receive email alerts and follow on the web.
Community Relations Team:
Kasey Shuda -Wilshire Segment (National Bl to Waterford St)
Tel: 310.846.3563
Olga N. Arroyo - Sunset Segment (Waterford St to Sepulveda Bl)
Tel: 310.846.2357
Ron Macias - Mulholland Segment (Sepulveda Bl to Ventura Bl)
Tel: 310.846.3564
Ned Racine - New Media
Tel: 310.846.3569
Yvette ZR Rapose - Director of Construction Relations
Tel: 213.922.2297
Contact Information:
Metro Community Relations
6060 Center Dr, 2nd Fl
Los Angeles, CA 90045-2952
Tel: 213.922.3665
I405@metro.net
Sign up for our email list
- Click on the segment name for more information.
|
 - Wilshire Bl Ramps Reconstruction
- Status: Construction of the Wilshire on- and off-ramps is anticipated to begin in the Second Quarter 2012.
|
Click for discounts along the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project corridor
