LOS ANGELES - Caltrans and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) are urging residents to take public transportation, including Metrolink, while the I-405 between I-605 and Valley View Street is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

The 20-hour full freeway closure is necessary so crews can demolish the bridge linking the southbound I-405 to eastbound SR-22, which is a major milestone as part of the $277 million West County Connectors project. Construction of a new connector bridge was completed late last month and is now being used by drivers. When completed by early 2015, the West County Connectors will directly link carpool lanes on SR-22, I-405 and I-605, helping to reduce congestion in the area.

The closure will begin at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17 and continue until approximately 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18.

As people attempt to avoid the I-405 closure, drivers are likely to adjust their route to the I-5 and other area thoroughfares. Individuals can purchase a Weekend Day Pass and take Metrolink's Orange County Line to avoid the highway and road congestion. For Metrolink's Orange County Line schedule, click here.

For the latest information on the I-405 closure and the West County Connectors (WCC) Project, follow the project on Twitter. Additional detour information can be found at www.octa.net/BridgeBash.

ABOUT METROLINK (www.metrolinktrains.com)

Metrolink is Southern California's regional commuter rail service in its 20th year of operation. The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), a joint powers authority made up of an 11-member board representing the transportation commissions of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, governs the service. Metrolink operates over seven routes through a six-county, 512 route-mile network. Metrolink is the third largest commuter rail agency in the United States based on directional route miles and the seventh largest based on annual ridership.

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