Sepulveda Pass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sepulveda Pass |
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I-405 in the Sepulveda Pass
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| Elevation | 1,130 ft (344 m) |
| Traversed by |  I-405 |
| Location | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Range | Santa Monica Mountains |
| Coordinates | 34°07′38″N 118°28′30″W / 34.12712°N 118.47489°W |
The Sepulveda Pass (which is about 1,130 feet (344 m) high) is a low mountain pass in Los Angeles, California. It goes through the Santa Monica Mountains. A "pass" is like a natural pathway through mountains. This pass is named after the Sepúlveda family of California. They were an important family who owned the land in that area a long time ago.
The Sepulveda Pass connects two big parts of Los Angeles. It links the Los Angeles Basin to the San Fernando Valley. The main ways to travel through the pass are the San Diego Freeway (also called I-405) and Sepulveda Boulevard.
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Traveling Through the Pass
This pass is a very busy route for cars. More than 330,000 cars use it every day! Because so many people use it, there are often big traffic jams that can last for hours.
Improving the Freeway
To help with the traffic, the I-405 freeway was made wider. This big project was done by Los Angeles Metro, which is the transportation group for the county. The widening project took three years to finish and was completed in December 2016.
Future Public Transport
There are also plans to add a new public transportation system through the Sepulveda Pass. This could be a new subway line or a monorail. Money has been set aside for this project, but the exact plan is still being worked out.
How the Roads Are Set Up
The I-405 freeway through the Sepulveda Pass starts near Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley. It climbs up to just south of Mulholland Drive. Then, it goes downhill to just north of Sunset Boulevard. At this point, the freeway enters the Brentwood and Westwood areas of West Los Angeles.
Freeway Lanes
When you are driving north on I-405, there are five regular lanes and one carpool lane. As you get closer to the Ventura exit, there's even a seventh lane. If you are driving south on I-405, there are four regular lanes and one carpool lane. On the uphill part, there's an extra lane for climbing.
Sepulveda Boulevard
Sepulveda Boulevard is another road that goes through the pass. It has two lanes going in each direction. For part of the pass, Sepulveda Boulevard runs west of the I-405 freeway. Then, it goes under the freeway and runs east of it for the rest of the pass.
Schools and Cultural Centers
Many important schools and cultural places are located near the Sepulveda Pass. This area has become known as an "institutional corridor."
Places to Learn and Explore
- Bel Air Presbyterian Church: This church opened its building on Mulholland Drive in 1960.
- The Westland School: This school was one of the first educational places to open here in 1965.
- Stephen S. Wise Temple
- American Jewish University
- Skirball Cultural Center
- Milken Community High School
- The Mirman School
- Berkeley Hall School
- The Curtis School
South of the pass, you can also find the large campus of the Getty Center. These places make the Sepulveda Pass area a hub for learning and culture.
Images for kids
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Sepulveda Boulevard Tunnel
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Sepulveda Blvd., Sepulveda Pass
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View of the Valley from The 405
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American Jewish University, Bel Air
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Milken Community High School
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Eastern hillside of the Sepulveda Pass, east Skirball Center Drive overpass
