BEVERLY HILLS—The final section of construction on Santa Monica Boulevard started on Monday, October 16. According to a press release Canyon News received from the city of Beverly Hills, construction on N. Santa Monica Boulevard is moving eastward. Workers started dismantling the south part of the roadway between Alpine and Doheny Drives last week.

Construction on the final segment is expected to be completed in phases, similar to the approach used during the last two previous segments. Until the end of December, four lanes of traffic will be open, two in each direction. Workers will be replacing curbs and gutters and bioswales and raised crosswalks will be built.

Starting at the end of December and after the holiday season ends, the road will be demolished and rebuilt. 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 arranged in order to decrease the overall duration of construction, which is now scheduled to be finished by spring 2018. The previous schedule was for a completion date in July 2018.

Bus Stops – Buses will continue to travel westbound on N. Santa Monica Boulevard 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 for both north and southbound traffic. Notice will be provided ahead of time.

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. Crosswalks will be constructed at the same level as the curbs, allowing for a safe transition for pedestrians.

An extensive outreach program is currently being mapped to inform the community of the N. Santa Monica Boulevard Reconstruction progress and ways to navigate streets during construction. Watch for mailers, social media messages, newspapers ads and signage.

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

The website www.beverlyhills.org/smblvd will be updated for residents and businesses to be aware of ongoing construction. To sign up to receive emailed notifications via Ask Bev to to www.beverlyhills.org/AskBev, or stay in touch via www.Facebook.com/CityofBeverlyhills and www.Twitter.com/CityofBevHills.  For additional questions email smblvd@beverlyhills.org, call the project helpline (424) 339-9033 or contact the Public Works Customer Service line (310) 285-2467.