This busy Southern California freeway is about get a lot smoother

Drivers through Los Angeles' densely populated San Fernando Valley have a new reason to celebrate.

Caltrans has begun work to smooth the grooves that have irked motorists along the 101 Freeway for more than a year.

The grooves, which feel a bit like rumble strips, are relics from a multiyear project to replace the concrete median barrier along a 19.3-mile stretch of the freeway from Hollywood to Calabasas.

Caltrans shifted traffic patterns during construction, which required temporary lane stripes, spokesperson James Medina explained to KTLA.

“When work is completed, they reconfigure traffic pattern with permanent lane stripes and remove temporary lines by grinding the pavement,” Medina said. “That may leave small grooves in the roadway and give the appearance of ghost stripes."

Caltrans finished the barrier replacement in early 2023, and the grooves have been part of daily life for tens of thousands of Valley commuters ever since.

At higher speeds, drivers experience a humming sound and a slight drag on their vehicles, which is especially noticeable with the solid grooves nearest to the median barrier. Some drivers opt to straddle the stripe and drive close to the new concrete barrier, while others shift to the right and closer to cars in the Number 2 lane.

Thankfully for commuters, those days are numbered.

Medina says work began this week to permanently smooth the 101 Freeway using a machine developed by Skidabrader, a San Diego-based company.

“A Skidabrader machine basically propels steel shot with high-speed wheels that abrades the surface, removing etching. This process improves safety and removes ghost striping,” said Medina.

The work is taking place between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week and will result in overnight lane closures.

Caltrans Lane Closures (Oct. 22-25)

• Two northbound left lanes on U.S. 101 from Haskell Ave. to Havenhurst Ave.
• Two northbound left lanes on U.S. 101 from Havenhurst Ave. to Reseda Blvd.
• Two northbound left lanes on U.S. 101 from Reseda Blvd. to Topanga Cyn Blvd. (SR-27)

Caltrans says residents and businesses near the freeway may hear noise associated with the road work. As always, officials urge drivers to move over and slow down in work zones.